Initial isolated Takayasu's arteritis of bilateral pulmonary artery branches with severe pulmonary hypertension: A case report

Background: Takayasu’s arteritis is a chronic systematic inflammatory disease. Isolated TA of pulmonary artery branches is very rare. Methods: The patient received some laboratory tests (including blood routine examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, etc.) and imageological examinations (including echocardiography, computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, computed tomographic aortic angiography, right-sided heart catheterization, 18F-FDG PET, etc.) for diagnosis. Results: Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) and Right-sided Heart Catheterization (RHC) showed diffused stenosis in bilateral pulmonary arteries in the case. Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure (PASP) measured by echocardiography is 89 mmHg. Besides, an 18F-FDG PET showed the pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle uptake was high. Conclusion: The symptoms of this patient have been controlled with the treatment of drugs, but pulmonary hypertension is not improved. Further treatment would be a great challenge