TITLE:
Late Diagnosis of Takayasu Disease in a 50-Year-Old African Black Woman with Repeated Episodes of Heart Failure: Seeing the Forest through the Trees—A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Djibril Marie BA, Aminata Diack, Alain Affangla, Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Ndao, Madjiguene KA, Khadidiatou DIA, Mouhamed Cherif Mboup, Mouhamed Leye
KEYWORDS:
Takayasu, Heart Failure, Corticotherapy, Pulseless Syndrome, Sub-Saharan, Black Female, Case Report
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
22,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: First described in 1908, TAK has now been recognized as a non-specific inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, predominantly affecting young females. Sometimes, it progresses into relatively rare and potentially fatal scenarios such heart failure. Case Presentation: Here, we present the case of a 50-year sub-saharan female suffering from acute heart failure related to TAK. Despite constitutional symptoms (fever, malaise, weight loss) and more characteristic features such claudication of lower extremities, carotydinia, and pulseless syndrome, diagnosis of TAK was delayed since main presentation was heart failure. Immunosuppressive and anticoagulant therapies have induced improvement in cardiac manifestations. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and proper treatment can protect the patient from dangerous complications such heart failure.