Primary arteritis of the aorta and its branches.

Primary arteritis of the aorta and its branches is a single clinicopathological entity affecting one or more segments of the aorta and resulting in a variety of symptom complexes. The prevalence is not known, but it is an important cause of renovascular hypertension in the black population of South Africa. Recently published articles on primary arteritis of the aorta and its branches are reviewed, and an attempt is made to draw conclusions regarding its cause, clinical features and treatment.