Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a topic covered in the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics.

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General Principles

  • Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, leading to tissue damage and necrosis. This diagnosis includes a broad spectrum of disorders with various causes that involve vessels of different types, sizes, and locations. The immunopathologic process may involve immune complexes.
  • Although in most cases the inciting agent has not been identified, some are associated with chronic hepatitis B and C.
  • Vasculitis “mimics” should be considered, including bacterial endocarditis, HIV infection, atrial myxoma, paraneoplastic syndromes, cholesterol emboli, and cocaine and amphetamine use.

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General Principles

  • Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, leading to tissue damage and necrosis. This diagnosis includes a broad spectrum of disorders with various causes that involve vessels of different types, sizes, and locations. The immunopathologic process may involve immune complexes.
  • Although in most cases the inciting agent has not been identified, some are associated with chronic hepatitis B and C.
  • Vasculitis “mimics” should be considered, including bacterial endocarditis, HIV infection, atrial myxoma, paraneoplastic syndromes, cholesterol emboli, and cocaine and amphetamine use.

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