Mid-Term Results of Surgical and Endovascular Treatments in Takayasu"s Arteritis

Objective: Takayasu"s arteritis (TA) is first described by a Japanese ophthalmologist, Mikito Takayasu, in 1908. It is a disease of unknown etiology, primarily affecting aorta and its branches. We present mid-term results of 20 patients who underwent surgery or endovascular intervention due to TA. Material and Methods: Between January 2003 and January 2013, 20 patients with TA underwent surgery or endovascular intervention in our clinic. Their symptoms and findings were upper extremity ischemia (n=10), upper extremity hypertension (n=7), lower extremity claudication (n=5), subclavian steal (n=5), syncope (n=2), vertebro-basillary insufficiency (n=2), and visual disturbances (n=1). Of 20 patients, 13 underwent surgery, 6 underwent endovascular intervention, and 1 underwent a hybrid approach. Results: Restenosis was observed in 6 patients. Aneurysm occurred at right distal anastomotic site of the aorto-bifemoral graft in 1 patient who underwent surgery due to atypical coarctation of the aorta. Transient ischemic attack occurred in 1 patient on 48th day after endovascular intervention to the left carotid artery. There was no mortality in our series. Conclusion: Both surgical and endovascular approaches are commonly used techniques in TA. Restenosis rates of these interventions are similar. Treatment depends on the on the characteristics of the lesion, and the experience of the surgeon.