A young female presented to the clinic with headache and malaise. Her blood pressure is high, but different in both upper limbs (difference is >10mm Hg). Pulseless disease is diagnosed in this patient. Which of the following blood vessel is commonly affected in this kind of vasculitis?
High-Yield Explanation
Large vessel vasculitis affects predominantly the aoa and its major branches. Takayasu's disease is a chronic inflammatory fibrosing aeritis affecting primarily the aoa and its major branches. In Takayasu aeritis, the ostia of the renal aeries and the main renal aeries are most often affected, which leads to renovascular hypeension and ischaemia.Medium-sized vessel vasculitis affects predominantly major visceral aeries and may involve the main renal aery, interlobar aeries, and arcuate aeries. The inflammation and necrosis of aeries may result in thrombosis or rupture, which causes renal infarction and haemorrhage. Small vessel vasculitis predominantly affects capillaries, venules, and aerioles including the glomeruli. Ref: Integrated Systematic Nephrology, 3rd Edition By Tak-Mao Chan, Tak-Mao Chan M K Chan, 2006, Page 83 ; Harrison, 17th edition, table 319-6