Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. It happens when the
body's immune system attacks the blood vessel by mistake. The cause is
often unknown. Vasculitis can affect arteries, veins and capillaries.
Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body's
organs. Veins are the vessels that carry blood back to the heart.
Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that connect the small arteries and
veins.
When a blood vessel becomes inflamed, it can:
- Narrow, making it more difficult for blood to get through
- Close off completely so that blood can't get through
- Stretch and weaken so much that it bulges and may burst and cause
dangerous bleeding inside the body
Symptoms of vasculitis can vary, but usually include fever, swelling and
a general sense of feeling ill. The main goal of treatment is to stop
the inflammation. Steroids and other medicines to stop inflammation are
often helpful.
Introduction
Vasculitis is defined as inflammation of the blood vessels.
There are several diseases characterized by the presence of vasculitis.
In some vasculitis diseases, inflammation is the main problem, while in others vasculitis is just part of the disease. This patient education program will help you understand vasculitis. It discusses the anatomy, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of vasculitis.
There are several diseases characterized by the presence of vasculitis.
In some vasculitis diseases, inflammation is the main problem, while in others vasculitis is just part of the disease. This patient education program will help you understand vasculitis. It discusses the anatomy, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of vasculitis.
Blood Vessels
Blood vessels are tube-like structures that carry blood through the
body. The blood vessels of the body together are called the vascular
system.
Blood rich in oxygen leaves the left part of the heart and enters the
aorta, the biggest artery of the body. The aorta divides into smaller
arteries that go to the brain, arms, intestines, pelvis, and legs.
Small arteries divide into even smaller arteries called arterioles.
Arterioles divide into the smallest blood vessels of the body, the
capillaries.
In capillaries, blood releases oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients and
picks up carbon dioxide.
The capillaries join together to form venules, very small veins. Venules
join together to form small veins.
Small veins join other veins to form the biggest veins of the body, the
inferior and superior vena cava.
Blood, poor in oxygen and rich in carbon dioxide, enters the right side
of the heart.
It leaves the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery,
traveling to the lungs through smaller arteries, arterioles, and
capillaries.
In the lung capillaries, the blood releases carbon dioxide and picks up
oxygen before it goes back through venules and veins to the left side of
the heart. Finally, it returns to the aorta .
The difference between arteries and veins is that arteries have thicker
walls and are more elastic.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is the inflammation of the blood vessels. Inflammation may be
the body’s response to infection, trauma, or disease.
Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause them to narrow, blocking
blood flow. It can also cause the walls of the blood vessels to become
painful, red, and tender.
Depending on the disease, vasculitis can affect various blood vessels.
When arteries are the inflamed blood vessels, the condition is also
called arteritis.
Vasculitis can affect blood vessels in various organs such as the brain,
kidneys, and lungs.
Vasculitis is a group of diseases of the blood vessels. The diseases
differ according to:
- the blood vessels involved
- the organs involved
- the main cause, if known
Causes
Vasculitis is thought to be a reaction of the immune system. The immune
system is made of special blood cells and chemicals that identify and
destroy foreign material.
Cells of the immune system are called white blood cells. They destroy
foreign material including viruses and bacteria.
There are two kinds of white blood cells: T-cells and B-cells. When
T-cells identify a foreign material or organism, they attack it.
When B-cells identify a foreign material, they secrete special chemicals
called antibodies. These antibodies stick to the foreign material and
cause it to die.
Vasculitis may occur when the immune system mistakes chemicals in the
blood vessels for foreign materials. The immune system then attacks the
blood vessels and damages them. It is not known what causes the immune
system to malfunction.
Sometimes vasculitis happens as a reaction to specific substances
injected in the blood, such as cocaine or amphetamine.
Vasculitis can accompany infections, such as hepatitis B. Hepatitis is a
viral infection.
Some cancers and rheumatic diseases are associated with vasculitis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on which organ is affected.
For instance, if the brain is affected strokes, paralysis, and vision
problems may occur.
The kidneys are responsible for cleaning waste and toxic materials out
of the blood. When they are affected, their function declines, sometimes
requiring dialysis. A dialysis machine acts like an artificial kidney.
There are different types of vasculitis such as:
- Kawasaki disease, which affects the mucus membranes and the heart
- Behcet’s disease, which affects the mouth, eyes, and genital areas.
- Polyarteritis nodosa, which affects the skin, heart, kidneys, and nervous system.
- Wegener’s granulomatosis, which mainly affects the respiratory tract.
Diagnosis
To diagnose vasculitis, blood tests are done to find signs of
inflammation and antibodies. Antibodies are substances secreted by the
cells of the immune system.
The doctor may surgically take a sample of a blood vessel to be examined
under the microscope. This is called a biopsy.
Other blood tests and urine tests may be done to check the function of
the involved organs.
An angiogram, a special dye x-ray of the blood vessels, may be needed to
look at the arteries and veins.
X-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs may be done to look at various organs of the
body and see if they are affected.
Treatment
The treatment of vasculitis depends on what type it is.
Vasculitis caused by a medication or drug can get better if the patient stops taking that specific medication.
In other patients where there is no known reason for the vasculitis, stopping inflammation is a priority. This may be done with steroid medication, such as prednisone or dexamethasone. Suppressing the immune system may also be done using medications such as cyclophosphamide. Along with these medications, the affected organs must be treated. Patients may need a respirator if the lungs are affected. Dialysis may be needed if the kidneys quit working.
Vasculitis caused by a medication or drug can get better if the patient stops taking that specific medication.
In other patients where there is no known reason for the vasculitis, stopping inflammation is a priority. This may be done with steroid medication, such as prednisone or dexamethasone. Suppressing the immune system may also be done using medications such as cyclophosphamide. Along with these medications, the affected organs must be treated. Patients may need a respirator if the lungs are affected. Dialysis may be needed if the kidneys quit working.
Summary
Vasculitis is a group of diseases that involves inflammation of the blood vessels.
Treatments to decrease inflammation and suppress the immune system are available.
Most patients with vasculitis live fairly normal lives!
