Endovascular biopsy in Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory arteriopathy of the large vessels, mainly the aortic arch andits branches. The disease progression varies, ranging from a rapid progression to quiescence reachedwithin 2 years. The activity of the disease is evaluated by biochemical markers, but at times, there is adiscrepancy between the clinical picture and biochemical markers. Histopathology helps in assessingthe disease activity, but it is not included in the antemortem diagnosis because of the invasivenessof the procedure and the availability of noninvasive vascular imaging. However, it may be performedsimultaneously with angioplasty. Here we present a case of endovascular aortic biopsy conducted todetect active inflammation in the aortic wall.