Aortic elastic properties in Takayasu arteritis.

We describe the case of a female patient with Takayasu arteritis. The aortic elastic properties were improved after the administration of diltiazem, as assessed by the aortic pressure-diameter relation. Consequently, the patient was treated with diltiazem at a dose of 270 mg/day for three years. During this follow-up period, there have been no life-threatening events related to Takayasu arteritis.