In 1908, there was an ophthalmologist named Dr. Mikoto Takayasu who reported ocular changes in a 21 year old Japanese woman.  Subsequently, Dr. Onishi and Dr. Kagoshima mentioned similar manifestations with the addition of absent pulses in the arms.   Data collected through the years framed the criteria for classifications and presentation of Takayasu's Arteritis.  By 1975, the disease was formally labeled Takayasu's Arteritis.

Takayasu's Arteritis is a rare, chronic, inflammatory disease primarily of the aorta and its branches.  The subclavian, renal, carotid, and the ascending aorta arteries can also be involved.  Takayasu's Arteritis affects more females than males and usually begins in the 2nd or 3rd decade of life.   TA is occasionally called "pulseless disease" because there is difficulty in detecting peripheral pulses that sometimes occurs as a result of the vascular narrowing. It is also common for a patient to exhibit vascular bruits, and symptoms of their arterial involvement. The cause of TA is not known.

Symptoms may include: dizziness, fainting, low grade fever, muscle aches, weight loss, circulatory deficit, vision problems, angina, joint pain, claudication, malaise, hypertension, night sweats, stroke, fatigue

Making the diagnosis of TA can be extremely difficult. Unfortunately, it is very common for the disease to "smolder" in the walls of large blood vessels for many years, causing only non- specific symptoms, until major complication results. This can eventually lead to occlusion, complete closing of the vessels. There can be major complications resulting, in the dilation of the aorta with stretching of the aortic valve in the heart, resulting in severe valve damage, and critically reduced blood flow to an arm or leg. In addition, a stroke caused by high blood pressure of the blood vessels going to the brain, renal failure, and many other serious afflictions are also possible.

 Diagnosis may be supported by abnormalities in the following: angiography (especially of aorta and branches), blood tests :sed rate (ESR), c-reactive protein, Albumin, Globulin and Fibrinogen, complete blood count, biopsy (rarely done), chest X-ray, ultrasound, arteriographic data, blood pressure measurements, magnetic resonance imaging studies, electrocardiogram

Diagnosis is difficult due to the erratic course of the disease.

Delay in diagnosis is common even when working with physicians experienced in vascular disease.

 Synonyms include: pulseless disease, aorta arch syndrome, reverse coarction, young female arteritis

It is important for the Takayasu's Arteritis patient to work closely with his/her physician.  make sure your physician accumulates facts on all your laboratory data, routine visits, medications, diagnostic tests, and surgical procedures.  Make sure you listen to what signals your body may be telling you.    Work together with a qualified physician to detect regression or progression of Takayasu's Arteritis.