11- aortic arch syndrome

- TAKAYASU ARTERITIS is some times called the aortic arch syndrome because takayasu arteritis is an inflammatory and steotic disease of medium and large sized arteries characterised by a STRONG PREDILICTION FOR THE AORTIC ARCH AND ITS BRANCHES .

- involvement of the branches of the aorta is much more marked at their origins than distally

-marked intimal proliferation and fibrosis , scarring and vascularization of the media , and disruption and degeneration of the elastic lamina . narrowing of the lumen occurs with or without thrombosis. vasa vasorum are frequently involved .

- frequency of arteriographic abnormalities in takayasu are :

1- subclavian artery- 93 %
2-common carotid - 58 %
3-abdominal aorta - 47 %
4-renal artery --38 %
5-aortic arch or root - 35 %
6- celiac axis and superior mesentric - 18 % each
7-iliac - 17 %
8- pulmonary artery - 10 to 40 %
9-CORONARY ARTERIES - LESS THAN 10 %
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GOLDEN WORDS FOR A DOCTOR - the diagnosis of takayasu arteritis shud be suspected strongly in a young woman who develops a decrease or absence of peripheral pulses , discrepancies in blood pressure and arterial bruits .