VCRC Longitudinal Protocol for Aortitis

This study will develop a longitudinal cohort of patients with different types of aortitis to
systematically study the natural history, optimal treatments, and outcomes in this group of
diseases. This will provide a resource for future studies and for identification of new
biomarkers of aortitis for purposes of diagnosis, disease activity measurement, disease
damage assessment, determination of disease states, and evaluation of treatment response.

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects will be included if they meet one of the following criteria:

1. Previous or current microscopic evidence of aortitis (active or healed) on surgical
specimen obtained during aortic resection

2. Previous or current radiographic aortitis that could include circumferential aortic
wall thickening of at least 3mm on CT or MRI or increased PET FDG uptake in the aorta
at values equal to or greater than the liver, in absence of an alternative explanation
for the radiographic findings.

Exclusion

1. Subjects already enrolled in one of the other VCRC longitudinal cohorts: 5502, 5503,
5504, 5505, and 5506.

2. Inability of participants (or their guardians in the case of children) to give
informed consent and to sign the consent form.