Objective: To investigate the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of coronary artery involvement resulting from aortoarteritis and discuss the potential difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Methods: Of 121 consecutive hospitalized patients with aortoarteritis from 1998 to 2001, the patients, who were found to have more than 50% diameter reduction of coronary artery by angiography because of clinically suspected coronary artery involvement, were studied retrospectively.
Results: In the study, there were totally 10 cases with coronary artery involvement of aortoarteritis, which accounted for 8.26% (10/121) of all the hospitalized patients with aortoarteritis. Nine of the 10 cases were female, aged 19 - 45 (31 +/- 9) years. There were evidences of peripheral arterial lesions and angina pectoris in all the cases. Of the 10 cases, 7 had abnormal electrocardiography and 5 abnormal echocardiography. Aortic root angiography or coronary angiography was the most useful tool for definitive diagnosis. Coronary ostia were most frequently involved. Coronary revascularization improved angina pectoris in most of the patients. However, the long-term efficacy and survival rate should be investigated further.
Conclusion: Coronary artery may be involved in aortoarteritis. Appropriate measurements should be taken to detect and to treat the lesion.