Abstract |
Five elderly patients with aortic arch syndrome secondary to large-vessel vasculitis all presented with upper-extremity claudication and absence of blood pressure and pulses in the affected extremity. Diagnosis was suspected by a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate associated with constitutional symptoms and angiograms showing changes consistent with arteritis of the aortic arch vessels. Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids resulted in rapid resolution of constitutional symptoms and improved functional use of the upper extremity. Recognition of this steroid-responsive disease is essential to avoid unnecessary reconstructive surgery and to prevent catastrophic events such as aortic dissection or visual loss, which may result from the underlying disease process.
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Authors | J L Perruquet, D E Davis, T M Harrington |
Journal | Archives of internal medicine
(Arch Intern Med)
Vol. 146
Issue 2
Pg. 289-91
(Feb 1986)
ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States |
PMID | 3947188
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones
(therapeutic use)
- Aged
- Aortic Arch Syndromes
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Female
- Giant Cell Arteritis
(diagnosis)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
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