Neidhart B, Kosek R, Bachmann L M, Stey C
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Policlinic, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
BMC Pulm Med. 2001;1:3. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-1-3.
Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that usually affects the aorta, its primary branches and occasionally the pulmonary and coronary arteries. Female gender in reproductive age and Asian origin are known factors associated with higher disease prevalence. The clinical manifestations vary considerably and are typically caused by limb or organ ischemia illness and fever. The estimated incidence rate in the western world is 2.6 cases per million persons per year. Occasionally, exertional dyspnea can be the sole primary clinical manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis.
We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who was referred to our institution with increasing exertional dyspnea caused by pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu's arteritis. In a review of the literature we discuss demographic data, clinical and radiographic findings and available therapeutic options.
Dyspnea due to pulmonary artery involvement can be the initial symptom of Takayasu's arteritis. Simple clinical tests, including a complete pulse-status and blood pressure measuring at both arms can lead to the right diagnosis and should always be done beyond the auscultation of the heart and lungs in patients with dyspnea.
大动脉炎是一种慢性全身性炎症性疾病，通常累及主动脉及其主要分支，偶尔也会累及肺动脉和冠状动脉。育龄期女性和亚洲血统是已知与较高疾病患病率相关的因素。其临床表现差异很大，通常由肢体或器官缺血性疾病以及发热引起。西方世界的估计发病率为每年每百万人2.6例。偶尔，劳力性呼吸困难可能是大动脉炎唯一的主要临床表现。
我们报告了一例57岁女性病例，该患者因大动脉炎累及肺动脉导致劳力性呼吸困难加重而转诊至我院。在文献回顾中，我们讨论了人口统计学数据、临床和影像学检查结果以及可用的治疗方案。
肺动脉受累引起 的呼吸困难可能是大动脉炎的初始症状。简单的临床检查，包括双侧上肢完整的脉搏检查和血压测量，可得出正确诊断，对于有呼吸困难的患者，除心肺听诊外，应始终进行这些检查。
