Polyarteritis nodosa

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Circulatory system

Microscopic polyarteritis 2

Polyarteritis, microscopic on the shin

Periarteritis nodosa

Treatment involves medications to suppress the immune system, including prednisone and cyclophosphamide.

For polyarteritis nodosa related to hepatitis, treatment may involve plasmapheresis and anti-viral medicines.

Current treatments using steroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system (such as cyclophosphamide) can improve symptoms and the chance of long-term survival. The most serious associated conditions generally involve the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Without treatment, the outlook is poor.

• Heart attack
• Intestinal necrosis and perforation
• Kidney failure
• Stroke

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chance of a good outcome.

Review Date: 09/07/2010
Reviewed By: Mark James Borigini, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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