Takayasu’s disease can also be the cause of a thrombotic arterial occlusion. In this disease there is inflammation of the aortic arch and the major arterial branches leading off it which gives rise to increasing circulation disturbances. The subclavian artery is most commonly affected (L > R). The characteristic symptoms are intermittent claudication of the arms, weakening pulse or absence of pulse in the brachial artery (“pulseless disease”). If the carotid artery is affected, pain may be experienced in the neck, with disturbances of vision and in extreme cases even apoplexy.
The treatment of Takayasu’s syndrome, which occurs mainly in younger women, consists in the administration of glucocorticoids and ASA for two years. In severe cases immunosuppressants (e.g. methotrexate) are also given.