Takayasu’s aortoarteritis

Abstract

Surgical treatment of two female patients aged 32 and 41 years, with neurological problems causes by type I Takayasu's aortoarteritis, are presented here. Both of them were treated with by pass from ascending aorta to left common carotid and left subclavian arteries, using transsternal approach. During the follow up period (3.5 years for the first, and 2 years for the second patient) both patients were free of neurologic symptoms. Corticosteroid therapy was given to the first patient for controlling of active diseases, immediatelly after the operation and during the first three postoperative months. By this reason an infection af the proximal part of sternal wound was developed. MRI showed involvement of the vascular graft. Due to high risk of reoperation, medical treatment was performed. Takayasu's aortoarteritis is very unsommon in our country, as well as in other countries which don't belong to Far East. In cases with hemodinamic important arterial lesions produced disabling symptoms, a standard PTA and reconstructive vascular procedures are indicated. Takayasu's aortoarteritis is a complex disease. It requires combined dignostic and therapeutic approaches which produce satisffied long-term results.