Transluminal dilatation for Takayasu's arteritis.

Takayasu's arteritis, pulseless disease or occlusive thromboaortopathy, is a progressive disease usually of young women. Early morbidity and death result from ischemia of vital organs. The results of surgical revascularization have been disappointing. Two women with Takayasu's arteritis are reported. They underwent transluminal dilatation of serious symptomatic stenoses of the origins of the left carotid, left subclavian, renal and superior mesenteric arteries. Four repeat dilatations were required. There was one complication. Clinical syndromes of transient cerebral ischemia, upper limb claudication, renal failure and intestinal angina have been reversed by transluminal dilatation. Percutaneous transluminal dilatation is a suggested alternative to surgical revascularization in selected patients with Takayasu's arteritis.