Inflammatory and infectious aortic diseases

Aortitis, inflammation of the aorta, is most commonly due to large-vessel vasculitides including giant cell and Takayasu’s arteritis (Table 1) (1). Prompt diagnosis and treatment with glucocorticoids is essential to avoid the profound disability that can occur if these entities are left untreated. Infectious aortitis is rare but life-threatening, and in contrast to vasculitides, must be treated promptly with antibiotics and potentially surgical or endovascular repair. The clinical presentation of infectious and inflammatory aortitis is variable and nonspecific, which can make diagnosis of these disorders challenging and delayed. We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis and management of aortitis