Aneurysm of the left aortic sinus caused by Takayasu's arteritis: compression of the left coronary artery producing coronary insufficiency.

A 45 year old Japanese woman with an aneurysm of the left aortic sinus is described. The main trunk of the left coronary artery was displaced upward, and the proximal portion of the circumflex branch was markedly compressed and displaced posteriorly, causing subendocardial infarction and angina. The diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis was made based on: 1) age, sex and nationality of the patient; 2) inflammatory signs followed by weakness of the right radial pulse; and 3) typical angiographic findings. Five previously reported cases are reviewed.