Large-vessel involvement and aortic dilation in giant-cell arteritis. A multicenter study of 549 patients

Abstract Objectives Large-vessel involvement (LVI) can occur in giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and may represent a distinct disease subgroup with a higher risk for aortic dilation. This study aimed to better characterize the presentation and evolution of LVI in patients with GCA. Patients and methods A retrospective multicenter study enrolled 248 GCA patients with LVI and 301 GCA patients without LVI on imaging. Factors associated with aortic dilation were identified in a multivariable model. Results The patients with LVI were younger (p  Conclusions LVI represents a distinct disease pattern of GCA with an increased risk of aortic dilation. Control of the aortic morphology during follow-up is required.