Overview

Overview

The Center for Vasculitis Care and Research at Cleveland Clinic is devoted to patients with vasculitis. Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessels – a feature that is shared by a family of rare diseases. Some forms of vasculitis may be quite mild and resolve on their own without any forms of treatment; however, other types may involve critical organ systems in the body and can be organ and life threatening. Common symptoms include skin rashes, fatigue, weakness, fever, joint pain, vision changes, headaches, nasal congestion and / or bloody nose, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, kidney problems (dark urine), nerve problems (numbness, weakness and pain).

Vasculitis is the inflammation of the body’s blood vessels. Vasculitis can affect very small blood vessels (capillaries), medium-size blood vessels, or large blood vessels such as the aorta (the main blood vessel that leaves the heart). There are over 20 different types of vasculitis. These disorders are categorized according to the size and location of the blood vessels that are affected. 

Common types of vasculitis include:

  • Behcet's Disease
  • Central Nervous System Vasculitis
  • Churg Strauss Syndrome
  • Cogan' Syndrome
  • Cutaneous Vasculitis
  • Giant Cell Arteritis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formally known as Wegener’s Granulomatosis)
  • Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
  • Kawasaki Disease
  • Microscopic Polyangiitis
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Takayasu Arteritis

Affecting both men and women of all ages, some form of vasculitis touches approximately 30 in 100,000 Americans. Although these numbers are relatively small compared to heart disease or cancer, the impact that vasculitis has on patients and caregivers is substantial.

This highly specialized team understands the complexity of the various forms and how the disease affects a diverse range of organs. Successful collaboration with physicians from many different disciplines provides patients with the safest and most effective therapies.

To make an appointment with a specialist in the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, call 216.444.2606.

Mission of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research

The Center for Vasculitis Care and Research at Cleveland Clinic is dedicated to improving the lives of people with vasculitis through patient care, research, and education.

Mission of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research

  • To ensure the best possible care for patients with vasculitis.
  • To discover the causes of these diseases.
  • To identify improved therapies for patients with vasculitis.
  • To educate physicians to provide state-of-the-art care for patients with vasculitis.
About the Center

About the Center

The Center for Vasculitis Care and Research is dedicated to improving lives of people with vasculitis through disease management, research and education.

As there are many different types of vasculitis, the physician must be able to pinpoint a patient’s exact type of vasculitis, the risk to individual organ systems and the most effective form of individualized treatment. Cleveland Clinic physicians within the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research deal with the entire spectrum of these illnesses on a regular basis.

Research is critical in the management of vasculitis and members of the Cleveland Clinic team have joined forces with a network of both national and international providers to conduct vast research studies – ultimately providing patients with the best possible advancements in the treatment of this disease.

Central to our mission is providing education about vasculitis to patients, trainees, and physicians. The Center continues to expand these goals through educational venues such as patient and caregiver symposia, the vasculitis fellowship, and vasculitis-based CME programs for physicians.

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What We Treat Our Staff

Our Staff

Education

Education

Mission of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research

The Center for Vasculitis Care and Research at Cleveland Clinic is dedicated to improving the lives of people with vasculitis through patient care, research, and education.

Mission of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research

  • To ensure the best possible care for patients with vasculitis.
  • To discover the causes of these diseases.
  • To identify improved therapies for patients with vasculitis.
  • To educate physicians to provide state-of-the-art care for patients with vasculitis.
Appointments & Locations

Appointments & Locations

To make an appointment with any of our hip or knee specialists, call toll-free 866.275.7496 or local 216.444.2606.

Request an appointment online

Virtual second opinion

If you cannot travel to Cleveland Clinic, help is available. You can connect with Cleveland Clinic specialists from any location in the world via a phone, tablet, or computer, eliminating the burden of travel time and other obstacles.

If you’re facing a significant medical condition or treatment such as surgery, this program provides virtual access to a Cleveland Clinic physician who will review the diagnosis and treatment plan. Following a comprehensive evaluation of medical records and labs, you’ll receive an educational second opinion from an expert in their medical condition covering diagnosis, treatment options or alternatives as well as recommendations regarding future therapeutic considerations. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to speak with the physician expert directly to address questions or concerns. Learn more.  

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