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SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Aortitis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Potentially life-threatening emergency

Aortitis

Contributors: Megan S. Winning MD, Ryan Hoefen MD, PhD, Bruce Lo MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Emergent Care / Stabilization:
  • Give 500-1000 mg methylprednisolone for adults, or 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone for children.
  • If infective aortitis is suspected, obtain blood cultures and give broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  • Emergent vascular consultation and intervention are needed if aortic aneurysm, rupture, fistula, or occlusive events are suspected.
Diagnosis Overview:
Aortitis is characterized by potentially life-threatening inflammation affecting the aorta, ranging from isolated segments to involvement of the entire aorta and its branches. Underlying etiologies include rheumatologic diseases, viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, connective tissue disorders, and drug-related factors. Large-vessel vasculitis, such as giant cell or Takayasu arteritis, is among the most common causes.

The presentation of aortitis varies based on the underlying cause, with symptoms often including nonspecific complaints such as chest, back, or abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, myalgia, and/or arthralgia. Additionally, aortitis can be incidentally discovered in asymptomatic patients. Cardiac involvement may result in new-onset aortic valve insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and angina. Complications can involve embolic and occlusive events, precipitating acute mesenteric ischemia, renal ischemia, limb ischemia, myocardial infarction, and transient ischemic attacks / cerebrovascular accidents. Infectious aortitis can cause pseudoaneurysms (false aneurysms that occur at the site of arterial injury from infection or trauma).

The risk of noninfectious aortitis is heightened in individuals with connective tissue diseases, diabetes, advanced age, and aortic valve pathology. Predictors of infective aortitis include trauma, endocarditis, atherosclerotic disease, and immunodeficiency. Idiopathic aortitis is seen more frequently with female sex and smoking.

Codes

ICD10CM:
I77.6 – Arteritis, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
70933002 – Aortitis

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

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Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

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References

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Last Reviewed:01/17/2024
Last Updated:06/11/2024
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Aortitis
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Aortitis : Abdominal pain, Fever, Claudication, Low back pain, Malaise
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.