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

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.