Different patterns and specific outcomes of large-vessel involvements in giant cell arteritis

Concise Report Prognosis of large-vessel giant cell arteritis

Objective. The prognosis of large-vessel GCA (LV-GCA) has not yet been investigated. How does it compare to GCA without arm vasculitis (GCA controls)? Methods. Charts of 53 LV-GCA patients and 53 GCA controls were reviewed following a predetermined protocol. Telephone interviews of patients or their primary care physicians were conducted. Forty LV-GCA patients underwent follow-up duplex ultraso...

Long-term efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis and large vessel vasculitis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic systemic vasculitis affecting large-sized and medium-sized vessels. Glucocorticoids are currently the mainstay of treatment for GCA and associated large vessel vasculitis (LVV) but are associated with frequent adverse events. Methotrexate has only demonstrated a modest benefit while anti-TNF biological agents (infliximab and etanercept) have been ineffica...

Early improvement of radiological signs of large-vessel inflammation in giant cell arteritis upon glucocorticoid treatment.

Giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), temporal arteritis or Horton’s arteritis, is a systemic vasculitis which involves large and medium sized vessels, especially the extracranial branches of the carotid arteries, in persons usually older than 50 years. Permanent visual loss, ischaemic strokes, and thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms are feared complications of GCA. The treatment consists of high dos...

Giant cell arteritis.

Permanent, severe loss of vision is a feared complication; however, it is not the sole possible devastating outcome of giant cell arteritis. Myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and limb gangrene may also occur. Thor acic aortic aneurysms are seen over 17 times more often in patients with giant cell arteritis than in age-matched controls. The optimal work-up includes erythrocyte sedimentation...