Major vessel involvement in Behçet's disease: an update.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Large vessel vasculitis occurs in a subgroup of patients with Behçet's disease who are at high risk for disease-related morbidity and mortality. Recognition of patients at risk, early detection of vasculitis, and aggressive treatment are essential for optimal care of these patients. We review the expanding knowledge on large vessel problems in Behçet's disease, highlighting recent contributions.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Vasculo-Behçet patients are at risk for multiple vessel-related complications including thromboses, stenoses, occlusions, and aneurysms. The primary reason for clot seems to be an inflammatory process in the vessel wall. Less invasive endovascular procedures are increasingly used to treat aneurysms in Behçet patients.

SUMMARY:

Because of earlier recognition, aggressive medical treatment, and novel surgical procedures, the morbidity and mortality of large vessel vasculitis in Behçet's disease are improving.

• Authors: Kenneth T Calamia, Michael Schirmer, Melike Melikoglu
• Journal: Current opinion in rheumatology (Curr Opin Rheumatol) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 24-31 (Jan 2011) ISSN: 1531-6963 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21124084 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Aneurysm (etiology, pathology)
• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Arteritis (etiology, pathology)
• Behcet Syndrome (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Intracranial Thrombosis (etiology, pathology)
• Pulmonary Artery
• Vasculitis (pathology)
• Venous Thrombosis (etiology, pathology)