Beyond the Usual Suspects: Emerging Insights into Takayasu’s Arteritis and Its Role in Secondary Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Pulselessness is the main sign of Takayasu's Arteritis (TAK), a granulomatous large artery vasculitis that mostly affects the aorta, major aortic branches, and pulmonary arteries. Renal artery stenosis is the source of arterial hypertension, which is common in TA. It is estimated that there are 2.6 incidences of Takayasu's arteritis per million people worldwide each year. Case Details: We report on an 18-year-old girl whose significant arterial hypertension on her left arm, identified during a routine check-up, was the primary manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis (TA). The left arm's systolic blood pressure was noticeably greater than the right's. Additionally, there was a difference in blood pressure between the legs and left arm. Auscultation revealed the presence of vascular bruits over the left subclavian regions. A CT angiography was used to establish the diagnosis of TA. The results indicated a substantial constriction at the right renal artery's origin and characteristics compatible with aortic arteritis of the thoracic and abdominal aorta with active disease given wall enhancement. Due to the disorder's rarity and the varied ways in which it manifests clinically, a delayed diagnosis and treatment are likely. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes that this illness can and does affect young people, and as such, patients presenting with suggestive symptoms and signs—especially young patients with unexplained hypertension—should be taken into consideration. Appropriate imaging and clinical suspicion are essential for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of TA patients. Several findings were found during the clinical examination, including signs of claudication, fever symptoms, involvement of major vessels including the aorta and its branches. This illustrates the condition of Takayasu's arteritis and what medical professionals should anticipate when treating it.