This larger vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology occurs in young individuals in Asia and Mexico. In these areas Takayasu arteritis is one of the most common causes of hypertension in young adults. Women are affected about 10 times more often than men.
A. Cardiovascular Lesions
Aneurysm formation of the aortic root leads to aortic regurgitation and arterial occlusions (stenosis) of the major branches of the aorta such as the subclavian, carotid, brachiocephalic, and renal arteries. Stenosis of the renal artery causes hypertension. Occlusion of one subclavian artery results in a low blood pressure recording in that arm, and the high blood pressure that exists may not be detected if the blood pressure is not checked in both arms. The characteristic histologic lesion is intense mono-nuclear leukocyte infiltration in the presence of giant cells. This pronounced intimal thickening leads to minimal residual lumen of arteries and organ ischemia (lack of blood perfusion) because of the stenotic lesions.
The mortality rate is high because of the aggressive vascular disease caused by hypertension or primary cardiac renal and central nervous system involvement. Mortality is as high as 35% at 5 years.

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