Carotid Artery Neovascularization in Takayasu's and Giant Cell Arteritis



Status:Completed
Conditions:Cardiology
Therapuetic Areas:Cardiology / Vascular Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:August 2010
End Date:January 2014

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Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for Assessment of Carotid Artery Neovascularization as a Marker of Disease Activity in Takayasu's Arteritis and Giant Cell Arteritis

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of contrast enhanced carotid ultrasound
to serve as an indicator of disease activity in patients with Takayasu's arteritis or Giant
Cell arteritis and to determine if patients with active arteritis have a thickening of their
blood vessel walls compared to healthy people of the same age and gender.

Takayasu's arteritis and Giant Cell arteritis are chronic, relapsing diseases of the large
arteries which can lead to significant narrowing of the arteries through episodes of
inflammation within the artery walls. The changes in the vessel walls will be determined by
an ultrasound test looking at and measuring: carotid vessel wall changes called carotid
Intimal-Media Thickness (cIMT) and the presence of new blood vessels (neovascularization)
using a contrast agent. Ultrasound findings will be correlated with markers of inflammation
in the blood, findings from other radiology studies (such as MRI) already ordered as part of
routine clinical care, and physical exam findings and symptoms of consistent with disease
activity. 15 arteritis patients and 5 healthy controls will be recruited.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male and female patients >18 years

- Diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis or giant cell arteritis

- Suspicion of common carotid involvement on the basis of physical examination
(cervical bruit), carotidynia, documented CCA involvement on an imaging study (MRA,
CTA, or ultrasound), or documented upper extremity large vessel involvement on an
imaging study (MRA or CTA or ultrasound).

- Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Prior stroke, carotid surgery or angioplasty

- Pregnant (or trying to become pregnant)

- Nursing

- Known or suspected cardiac shunt

- Documented hypersensitivity to the contrast agent

- Severe pulmonary hypertension or unstable cardiopulmonary conditions (acute
myocardial infarction, acute coronary artery syndromes, worsening or unstable
congestive heart failure, serious ventricular arrhythmias, or respiratory failure)
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