Optimal treatment of KD vasculopathy (disease affecting blood vessels) differs in several ways from treatment of typical atherosclerosis:

 

1. Acutely, patients with KD who present with myocardial infarction often have a significant thrombus burden in their aneurysmal segments. In the setting of a large thrombus (a blood clot formed in the vascular system of the body and impeding blood flow), the true diameter of the aneurysmal segment may not be fully appreciated, and further investigation like intravascular ultrasound is needed.

 

2. In Subacute (intermediate between acute and chronic) settings, coronary computed tomography angiography may help to identify the presence and size of aneurysms, as well as the presence of thrombus (blood clot), calcifications (build-up of calcium in arteries), and stenoses (narrowing or restriction of a blood vessel that reduces blood flow).

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3. Long-term therapy with systemic anticoagulation (treatment with anticoagulant drugs to reduce the risk of the formation of blood clots), often in addition to antiplatelet agents (medicines that prevent blood clots from forming), is frequently indicated for patients with large coronary aneurysms.