Angiologische Diagnostik und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten für entzündliche Gefäßerkrankungen

Vasculitis is a group of rare inflammatory vascular diseases commonly caused by autoimmune changes. New classification criteria and treatment guidelines have been published for several types of vasculitides in recent years, as new imaging methods for diagnosis and new drugs for treatment are used. Additionally, there are increasing data about the development of cardiovascular events in patients with vasculitides. In large-vessel vasculitis, like giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis, radiological imaging methods are increasingly used, while laboratory parameters and biopsies still have their significance for diagnosis in small-vessel vasculitis. Current treatment of vasculitides includes administration of diverse immunosuppressive agents, while revascularization of large- and medium-sized vessels may be necessary in selected cases. Furthermore, concomitant cardiovascular risk factors should also be adequately treated in patients with vasculitides.