Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome

Arterial tortuosity syndrome is a rare disease that affects the connective tissue of the body. Connective tissue makes up blood vessels, skin, joints, and the gastrointestinal tract.

The syndrome causes abnormal twists and turns in the arteries, sometimes causing bulging (aneurysms) which can burst and cause massive blood loss, and constriction (stenosis) which can lead to deadly blockages.

Symptoms of arterial tortuosity syndrome, or ATS, also appear outside the circulatory system. These may include joints that are either hypermobile or limited in movement, abnormally soft or stretchy skin, slender fingers and toes, overly curved spine, sunken or protruding chest, hernias, and diverticula.

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