The large vessel vasculitides were a major focus of the 21st International Vasculitis Workshop held in Barcelona in April. The biennial conference brings together specialists from multiple disciplines, including rheumatology, nephrology and immunology, to discuss cutting-edge vasculitis research. This article reviews important points regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of both giant cell arteritis and…
Update on the Management of Takayasu Arteritis
A rare form of large vessel vasculitis, Takayasu arteritis persents with no clear patterns, with patients experiencing vascular symptoms, as well as such systemic symptoms as fever and weight loss. A systematic literature review found evidence to guide rheumatologists in monitoring and treating their patients with Takayasu arteritis…
The Link Between Takayasu’s Arteritis & Increased Stroke Risk
Approximately 16% of patients diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) experience a stroke. In a recent study, researchers found patients with TA and stroke had higher levels of C-reactive protein at diagnosis…
Potential New Maintenance Therapies for Vasculitides Revealed
WASHINGTON, D.C.—New insights into maintenance therapy for patients with vasculitides were covered by several speakers at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting abstract session titled, Vasculitis I: Novel Approaches to Therapy. Expert Hubert de Boysson, MD, MSc, of the Internal Medicine Department at Caen University Hospital in France, led discussion on new therapies for patients with…
New Large-Vessel Vasculitis Therapies Emerge, but Better Options Still Needed
LONDON—New therapies are emerging for the two main forms of large-vessel vasculitis, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis—particularly biologic therapies. But for just about every available treatment gap, drawbacks or limited evidence remain, with the results needing to be borne out in larger trials, an expert said at the Annual Congress of the European…
Fellow’s Forum Case Report: Aneurysm in Takayasu’s Arteritis
A healthy 30-year-old Indian male was performing his routine workout in the gym when he developed giddiness and transient blackouts. He thought it was due to exercising excessively. Over the next month, he developed a low-grade fever and started feeling lethargic, to the extent that he was unable to exercise or work. He was admitted…
Infliximab, Tocilizumab Can Help in Large Vessel Vasculitis
Case studies show some patients with LVV can achieve remission after treatment with biological agents
Diagnose, Manage and Treat Giant Cell Arteritis
A rheumatologist at the California Rheumatology Alliance 10th Annual Medical & Scientific Meeting in San Francisco shares research findings on this inflammatory blood vessel disease
Fellow’s Forum Case Report: Takayasu’s Arteritis
How this rare form of large-vessel vasculitis affects different portions, branches of aorta and ways to diagnose, treat and manage the disease