TITLE:
An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Revealing a Fatal Takayasu Disease—A Case Report from the Libreville University Hospital Centre (CHUL)
AUTHORS:
Carole Fadilath Yekini, Armel Kinga, Wilfried Tessa, Cajole Ndjibah, Francis Ndoume, Moupinda, Franck Moubamba, Jean Bruno Mipinda, Christelle Akagha, Christian Allognon, Elsa Ayo Bivigou
KEYWORDS:
Aneurysm, Abdominal, Takayasu, Fatal Outcome, CHUL
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Takayasu disease is inflammatory arteritis that predominantly affects large-calibre arteries. Its aetiology remains poorly understood. In sub-Saharan Africa, it remains an underdiagnosed condition. We report a case of Takayasu disease revealed by an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was a 54-year-old woman admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain, localised in the epigastric region and rated at 6/10 on the visual analogue scale, which was unresponsive to standard analgesics. Physical examination revealed asymmetric blood pressure readings. The electrocardiogram showed a regular sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 100 beats per minute and the presence of T-waves indicative of subepicardial ischaemia in the lateral region. The complete blood count showed pancytopenia, with white blood cells at 200/µl, haemoglobin at 7.9 g/dl, and thrombocytopenia at 5000/µl. C-reactive protein was positive at 160 mg/l and the Coombs test was positive. A chest and abdominal CT angiogram revealed an enlargement of the aortic arch extending into the descending and abdominal aorta (57 mm), with significant parietal thickening reducing the vascular lumen and diffuse parietal microcalcifications. The patient was immediately started on prednisone at a dose of 40 - 60 mg per day. The course of the illness was marked 72 hours later by the onset of heart failure with haemodynamic instability. Takayasu disease is being reported with increasing frequency in sub-Saharan Africa. It generally presents cardiovascular symptoms, and thoraco-abdominal-pelvic CT angiography is of considerable value in the diagnosis.