Resection and Graft Replacement of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient with Takayasu's Disease

Abstract A 39 year old female patient with Takaysu's disease developed general symptoms of muscular pain, fatigue, general malaise, fever and periods of fainting. She also had an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and increased gammaglobulin levels. She had received corticosteroid therapy for several years and had developed a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. In 1998 the maximal aneurysmal diameter had increased to 10.2cm. Using atriofemoral bypass, resection and graft replacement of the thoracoabdominal aneurysm was performed. Six years after the operation the patient is well, working part time as a primary school assistant. Although, thoracoabdominal aneurysm due to Takayasu's disease is rare, the condition must be taken into consideration in female patients younger than 40 years of age who have vague general symptoms and increased ESR of unknown cause. The vascular system should then be thoroughly investigated for arterial pathology. Thoracoabdominal aortic resection and graft replacement can be performed in these patients using standard techniques.