Ischemic Stroke in a Young Adult Female Caused by Takayasu’s Arteritis: A Case Report

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is one of the causes of ischemic stroke at a young age, but the occurrence is still rarely reported in Indonesia. Here we report the case of a 19-year-old Indonesian female who was admitted to the Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital with a sudden onset of right-sided hemiplegia. Other features of Takayasu’s arteritis were observed, including a discrepancy of more than 10 mmHg between the left and right arm systolic blood pressure, claudication of the extremities, and decreased brachial artery pulse. Left hemisphere cerebral infarction was confirmed on the computed tomography (CT) scan. Angiogram abnormalities were also present, showing occlusion of the left proximal inner carotid artery after branching at the aortic arch, and occlusion of the left subclavian artery. Although no fever was observed on presentation, the patient had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 44 mm/hour. In conclusion, Takayasu’s arteritis should be considered as a potential cause of ischemic stroke in young adults.