Aortitis

Aortitis is an inflammation of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This condition can lead to serious complications, including aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. Aortitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and other inflammatory conditions.

Causes

Aortitis can be classified based on its etiology into infectious and non-infectious causes.

Infectious Causes

• Syphilis
• Tuberculosis
• Salmonella
• Staphylococcus aureus

Non-Infectious Causes

• Takayasu arteritis
• Giant cell arteritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Symptoms

The symptoms of aortitis can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of aortitis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Common diagnostic tools include:

• Computed tomography angiography (CTA)
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Echocardiography
• Blood tests for inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Treatment

The treatment of aortitis depends on the underlying cause. For infectious aortitis, antibiotics or antifungal medications are used. For non-infectious aortitis, treatment typically involves immunosuppressive therapy, including:

• Corticosteroids
• Methotrexate
• Azathioprine
• Cyclophosphamide
• Biologic agents such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors

Complications

If left untreated, aortitis can lead to severe complications, including:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic rupture
• Heart failure
• Stroke

See also

• Vasculitis
• Arteritis
• Autoimmune disease
• Cardiovascular disease