Overview of Vasculitis
Vasculitis refers a group of rare medical conditions characterized by inflammation of blood vessels (1). Depending on the type of vasculitis, the severity of illness can range from mild to life-threatening (2).
Vasculitis can affect any blood vessel: arteries, veins, arterioles, venules, and capillaries (1). When a blood vessel is inflamed it may narrow and become occluded, leading to decreased blood flow and eventual ischemia of the surrounding tissue (1). In certain cases however, the blood vessel may weaken and stretch, leading to the formation of an aneurysm that has the potential to rupture (2). Although disruption of blood flow can lead to severe consequences, the prognosis of vasculitis depends on several factors: type of vasculitis, severity, progression rate, and organ involvement (1).
Figure 1. Part A shows a normal artery. Part B shows an inflamed and narrow artery with decreased blood flow. Part C shows an artery that’s totally occluded with no blood flow. Part D shows a thin and dilated artery with abnormal blood flow. Figure adapted from (1).
Vasculitis can affect any blood vessel: arteries, veins, arterioles, venules, and capillaries (1). When a blood vessel is inflamed it may narrow and become occluded, leading to decreased blood flow and eventual ischemia of the surrounding tissue (1). In certain cases however, the blood vessel may weaken and stretch, leading to the formation of an aneurysm that has the potential to rupture (2). Although disruption of blood flow can lead to severe consequences, the prognosis of vasculitis depends on several factors: type of vasculitis, severity, progression rate, and organ involvement (1).
Figure 1. Part A shows a normal artery. Part B shows an inflamed and narrow artery with decreased blood flow. Part C shows an artery that’s totally occluded with no blood flow. Part D shows a thin and dilated artery with abnormal blood flow. Figure adapted from (1).
References
- What is vasculitis? [Internet]. Bethesda: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2011 [cited 2013 March 30]. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/vas/
- Vasculitis [Internet]. Atlanta: American College of Rheumatology, 2013 [cited 2013 March 30]. Available from: http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/vasculitis.asp