Acute rheumatic fever and Takayasu arteritis – A synchronous co-occurrence

Abstract

Acute rheumatic fever and Takayasu arteritis are examples of autoimmune diseases that commonly affect the cardiovascular system. We report an infrequent co-occurrence of both these diseases in an adolescent male. It may appear that in some individuals, the rheumatic fever may act as a trigger for the development of large vessel vasculitis. This possibility should be considered in patients on follow-up if they develop fresh features of cardiovascular compromise despite appropriate medical, interventional, or surgical therapy for rheumatic heart disease.