If you have an autoimmune disease, your body’s immune system could attack the aorta, resulting in inflammation. The most common of these conditions are giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis.
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
What is aortitis?
Inflammation of the aorta is called aortitis. The aorta is your largest artery and carries blood from the heart to the rest of your body. Aortitis is rare but can be potentially life-threatening. Explore the causes of an inflamed aorta and its symptoms, risks, and treatments.
Jump to:
What causes aortitis?
Various factors can lead to aortic inflammation, such as infections, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune diseases.
When microorganisms enter your bloodstream, they can land on the aorta, especially if there is a preexisting aneurysm or atherosclerotic plaque. Surgical or dental procedures, the use of intravenous drugs, and endocarditis (a heart valve infection) can lead to aortic infections. Staph. aureus, Pneumococcus, E coli, and Salmonella are the bacteria most likely to cause aortitis, although fungal infections can arise in immunocompromised patients.
Certain underlying issues can cause the walls of the aorta to become inflamed. Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, and Behçet’s syndrome can lead to aortitis.
In some instances, inflammation of the aorta can occur without any underlying cause. This condition is called isolated idiopathic aortitis when aortitis can’t be linked to a specific reason.
Symptoms of aortitis
Aortitis symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and the extent of the inflammation. Common indicators include:
- Chest, back, or abdominal pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vision changes
- Shortness of breath
Getting an aortitis diagnosis
Your physician will typically start by reviewing your medical history and performing a physical examination. During the exam, they’ll check for signs of inflammation, such as enlarged lymph nodes. If your symptoms suggest you may have aortitis, your physician will conduct additional testing, such as:
- Blood tests: Your blood can detect abnormal levels of proteins and antibodies associated with inflammation. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are potential signs of aortitis.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan provides detailed images of the aorta and surrounding bones and soft tissues. This scan can help your care team identify inflammation, aortic wall thickening, aortic aneurysms, and other abnormalities.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Another method of checking for aortitis is an MRI. This test creates clear, precise images of your aorta and tissues to indicate the extent of the inflammation and the presence of an aneurysm.
- Ultrasound: This noninvasive test uses sound waves can help identify aneurysms and thickening of the aortic wall.
- Biopsy: Your physician may take a sample of tissue from the aorta or one of its branches to confirm an aortitis diagnosis and identify its underlying cause.
Aortitis treatment
Your treatment options will depend on what’s causing the inflamed aorta, its severity, and associated complications. Treatment for aortitis includes:
If a bacterial or fungal infection is the cause of your aortitis, you’ll require immediate treatment to ensure it doesn’t spread or worsen. The antibiotic medication your physician administers will depend on the specific type of infection.
In cases of autoimmune-related aortitis, your treatment will focus on suppressing your immune system to alleviate the inflammation. If corticosteroids aren’t effective, your physician may prescribe immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate or azathioprine, or newer biologic agents such as tocilizumab.
You may require surgical intervention if you have an aortic aneurysm that could rupture or affect your heart’s functioning. Other reasons for surgery include a blockage that restricts blood flow or the presence of severe aortic regurgitation, where blood from the aorta leaks backward into the heart.
How long does aortitis treatment last?
The duration of treatment for aortitis depends on what caused it. If you have an infectious form of aortitis, your physician might prescribe a course of antibiotics that lasts for several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the infection. If your condition is autoimmune-related, you may undergo long-term therapy.
Complications from aortitis
Inflammation of the aorta leads to various complications. Potential issues include:
- Aortic aneurysm: Inflammation of the aortic wall can create an aneurysm. A rupture of the aneurysm is life-threatening.
- Aortic dissection: This is another severe condition where inflammation causes tearing in the main artery carrying blood from the heart.
- Aortic stenosis or regurgitation: Inflammation and scarring of the aortic valve causes it to narrow (stenosis), restricting blood flow, or to allow blood from the aorta to leak backwards into the heart (regurgitation).
- Stroke: Although aortitis isn’t typically a direct cause of stroke, narrowing of arteries to the brain can indirectly lead to stroke.
- Kidney failure: Inflammation of the aorta can affect the renal arteries, decreasing the blood supply to the kidneys. That could lead to kidney dysfunction.
Reducing the risk of an aortic infection
You can’t always prevent aortitis, but you can lower your risk of developing it by adopting habits that support cardiovascular health. Strategies to reduce the risk of infection or inflammation of the aorta include:
- Lowering your cholesterol
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Limiting the intake of saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugars
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Scheduling regular checkups with your physician
Aortitis prognosis
If you have aortitis, your prognosis depends on its underlying causes, the extent of the condition, and your response to treatment. Studies show the 10-year survival rate is 80% to 90%. However, the survival rate drops to around 66% if severe complications develop. Early diagnosis and intervention can help minimize the risk of complications and improve outcomes.
