ANCA-positive Vasculitides and Coronary Artery Pathology

Abstract

Vasculitides constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting from large arteries to post-arteriolar capillaries. These disorders can affect all organs and are categorized on the basis of the affected artery diameter and the presence or absence of antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA). ANCA-positive vasculitides involve small to medium size arteries of many organs, primarily of the upper and lower respiratory system, the kidneys and the peripheral nervous system. Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), Wegener granulomatosis (WG) and Churg-Strauss syndrome (CS) are forms of these vasculitides. Coronary arteries have been previously shown to be occasionally affected during the course of these diseases; however, this has never been formally assessed.