Background Takayasu’ s arteritis (TAK) is a chronic, inflammatory, large-vessel vasculitis. In the present study we aimed to evaluate vascular endothelial function in patients with TAK compared to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), another inflammatory, autoimmune disorder.

Methods We studied 33 patients with TAK, 18 patients with SLE and 20, age and sex-matched healthy controls. Brachial artery Doppler ultrasonography (USG) and bilateral carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements were performed.

Results Basal diameter and nitrate- induced dilatation (NID) values of the brachial artery were similar between the three groups. However, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was markedly reduced in patients with TAK (Table 1). Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) was also significantly increased in TAK group, compared to the controls (0.11±0.03 vs to 0.07±0.009 cm, respectively, p=0.0001). Presence of hypertension had no association with FMD and CIMT measurements. In the SLE group, a marked impairment in FMD % was obtained (8.85±2.8, p=0.0001). % NID and CIMT measurements was observed to be similar between the patients with SLE and the healthy controls (p=0.60 and p=0.05, respectively).

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Conclusions In the present study, we detected significantly decreased FMD and increased CIMT in TAK patients, suggesting a marked endothelial dysfunction. Chronic inflammation and vascular fibrosis might lead to increased atherosclerosis in TAK.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared