Circulation, Volume 153, Issue 25 , Page 2064-2083, June 23, 2026. Based on the Chapel Hill consensus criteria, the primary forms of vasculitis are classified by the predominant size of the affected blood vessels into large, medium, or small vessels.
The two main forms of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) are giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis, both of which are more prevalent in women while showing distinct geographic patterns of prevalence. The pathogenesis of LVV is complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental and geographic triggers, immune dysregulation, and aging or (premature) senescence of the immune system and blood vessels.
Diagnosis based on clinical presentation alone can be challenging because of the wide variety and often nonspecific symptoms that are associated with LVV. This has prompted the development of novel diagnostic tools to aid patient management, in particular advanced vascular imaging approaches.
New therapies targeting specific immune pathways are now becoming available to improve outcomes while limiting the side effects associated with traditional glucocorticoid treatment.
Circulation published a clinical update in Cardiology on 22 Jun 2026.
The item focuses on Challenges and Future Trends in Large Vessel Vasculitis.
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