How To Treat And Cope With Takayasu's Arteritis

Bypass Surgery

If the doctors can't control inflammation with medication, they may need to opt for surgery. Bypass surgery is for patients whose Takayasu's arteritis has become life-threatening because their carotid arteries have become too narrow because of the inflammation. The carotid arteries are found in the neck and bring blood to the brain. If these arteries are blocked, it can result in a stroke. The surgery is formally called aorto-carotid bypass. During the surgery, the doctor creates a bypass out of a graft taken from the patient’s saphenous vein, which is found in the leg, or a graft made out of polytetrafluoroethylene or Dacron. The graft connects the carotid artery to the aorta, which enters and arches over the heart.