How is disease activity monitored in Takayasu Arteritis
Unfortunately, ESR correlates with the degree of inflammation observed on a biopsied blood vessel in only about 50% of cases, so clinical assessment remains a vital tool in TA monitoring. The role of imaging in monitoring large-vessel vasculitis inflammatory activity is an active area of research, although FDG-PET, MRI/MRA, CTA, or ultrasound may all be reasonable to confirm active disease in situations where a flare is already suspected clinically. The use of CTA, MRA, or ultrasound is reasonable for periodic monitoring of fibrotic/structural damage, although the appropriate frequency of their use for serial reassessment is not well determined.