PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What condition is characterized by arteritis of the aorta and its branches?

1. PAD

2. Subclavian steal syndrome

3. Takayasu's arteritis

4. Raynaud's phenomenon

The correct answer is: Takayasu's arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis is a rare type of large vessel vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and its main branches. It is characterized by inflammation of the arterial wall, leading to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm formation in the affected vessels. This condition is most often seen in young women, particularly those of Asian descent, and can result in a variety of systemic symptoms, such as fever, malaise, and weight loss, along with specific vascular manifestations, including diminished or absent pulses in the arms and legs, headaches, and possibly limb claudication. In contrast to the other conditions listed, Takayasu's arteritis is specifically linked to the inflammation of the aorta and its branches, distinguishing it from peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects the peripheral arteries, primarily in the lower limbs; subclavian steal syndrome, which involves reverse blood flow in the vertebral artery due to subclavian artery stenosis; and Raynaud's phenomenon, which is a vascular reaction characterized by episodic vasospasm of small blood vessels in response to cold or stress, primarily affecting the fingers and toes.