Management of a Patient in the State of Total Occlusion of Aorta Due to Takayasu Arteritis in Preconceptional and Pregnancy Period

Abstract

Objectives: Total aortic occlusion is a severe complication of Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Pregnancy follow-up in the state of total aortic occlusion due to TAK has not been reported before.

Case presentation: A 35 year-old nulliparous woman with total aortic occlusion in the distal aorta due to TAK, admitted with pregnancy desire. She had developed a collateral vessel system which has maintained the lower body circulation. She was informed about the potential risks after an evaluation and she admitted to our clinic at the seventh week of pregnancy, and acetylsalicylic acid was prescribed. At 20th gestational week anomaly screening was in normal limits although the uterine artery Doppler had lower S/D, PI and RI values. She was followed-up regularly in every two weeks. Vascular examination was performed by using an ankle brachial index (ABI) by duplex ultrasound. At 20th gestational week ankle brachial index score was 0.8-0.9 which indicates mild disease. Around 28th gestational week her claudication got worse again and ABI was in moderate level (0.5-0.8) and low molecular weight heparin was started. Until 37th gestational week her disease was stable, ABI was above 0.5, her blood pressure was in normal limits, no vascular complication occurred and the baby's growth percentile was at 25th centile. At 37th gestational week a 2,640 g baby was delivered. Patient was discharged without any complications at third post-operative day.

Conclusions: Complicated TAK patients may have good obstetric outcomes with a multidisciplinary approach in experienced tertiary centers.