The implications of recognizing large-vessel involvement in elderly patients with giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis is associated with a markedly increased risk of aortic aneurysm formation or aortic rupture, particularly in the thoracic aorta. Although this association is not new, it has gained renewed attention recently. In this paper, the nature of aortic aneurysm formation in association with giant cell arteritis is discussed, along with the implications of recognizing large-vessel involvement in elderly patients with giant cell arteritis.