What complication can arise from untreated Giant cell arteritis?

Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, is a large vessel vasculitis that primarily affects the cranial arteries. One of the most serious complications of untreated giant cell arteritis is permanent vision loss or blindness. This occurs due to ischemia of the optic nerve, which can be caused by inflammation and damage to the blood vessels supplying the optic nerve. Delay in treatment, particularly with corticosteroids, can result in irreversible damage to the visual pathways, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management.

While other complications like stroke or cardiac failure can occur in certain settings, they are not directly linked as complications of giant cell arteritis itself in the way that visual impairment is. The predominant risk tied to untreated giant cell arteritis is indeed the potential for blindness, making it critical for healthcare providers to recognize and treat the condition promptly to prevent this devastating outcome.