Vnitr Lek 2024, 70(7):462-467 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2024.090

Large vessel vasculitis - new classification criteria and new treatment options

Debora Karetová, Agáta Jeníšová

II. interní klinika kardiologie a angiologie 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) affects the aorta and the large arteries branching from it. There are 2 diseases in particular, namely Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Both diseases are rare, which is why early diagnosis often fails. GCA (formerly called Horton's temporal arteritis) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease taking place mainly in the wall of the media and adventitia. It is often associated with extravascular inflammation, most commonly in the form of polymyalgia rheumatica. It is now clear that this arteritis includes a wide range of phenotypic expression: a distinction is made between large vessel GCA (LV-GCA) and the cranial form of GCA (C-GCA). Takayasu arteritis is characterized by involvement of the arteries arising from the aorta, especially the subclavian arteries, where granulomatous inflammation leads to stenosis and occlusion. Not only the media and adventitia are affected, but also the intima. Diagnostics is based on imaging methods, especially PET/CT (with evidence of increased metabolic activity in the arterial walls), CT or MR angiography is used for accurate imaging of the arteries. The initial examination is duplex ultrasonography. Laboratory examination is used to detect signs of inflammation (elevated CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate); there is no specific marker to monitor disease activity. Treatment outcomes in LVV are generally better than in most systemic inflammatory diseases and conditions with small vessel involvement. However, LVV is not a benign disease. In the long term, it is necessary to guide patients into remission with immunosuppression-based therapies, including novel biologic agents, and then monitor and treat potential ischemia of various target organs. Even so, relapses are common and chronic vascular complications are a source of significant morbidity.

Keywords: large vessel vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, diagnostic criteria 2022 (ACR-EULAR), immunosuppressive therapy, revascularization.

Accepted: October 24, 2024; Published: November 14, 2024  Show citation