Takayasu's arteritis. Coloured angiogram of the axillary artery (white, upper centre) of a 29 year old patient with Takayasu's arteritis. Takayasu's arteritis, also known as pulseless disease, is a rare, inflammatory disease of the aorta and its branches. Stenosis (narrowing) of the arteries in the arms can lead to an absence of a wrist pulse. It most commonly occurs in young oriental women, but the patient here is of Mediterranean origin. This disease can result in aneurysms (weakenings of artery walls), which can be fatal in the aorta. The cause is not known, but treatment is by taking corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, and surgery for repairing aneurysms.