Chest
Selected ReportsRegression of the Left Main Trunk Lesion by Steroid Administration in Takayasu's Aortitis
Section snippets
CASE REPORT
A 62-year-old man had noticed an oppressive sensation in his chest upon exertion since March 1989. On May 23, 1989, the sensation had lasted for ten hours, and he was transferred to this hospital. The peak creatine phosphokinase level was 796 IU, but no new abnormal Q waves developed on electrocardiography. After admission, he remained free from angina pectoris with nitrates, calcium antagonists, and β-adrenergic blockers. The level of CRP was 5.5 mg/dl, and normocytic and normochromic anemia
DISCUSSION
A severe LMT lesion, persistently abnormal CRP levels, and the thickened, edematous ascending aorta, as seen during surgery in this case, are characteristic of Takayasu's aortitis. Surgical therapy for Takayasu's aortitis during the active phase carries great risk. Generally, aortic valve replacement is postponed until inflammation has subsided with steroid therapy.1 Cherin et al2 reported a case of reversible coronary stenosis after steroid administration. The regression was suspected by
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