What is the recommended treatment for stroke thought to be caused by giant cell arteritis?
In addition to steroids, it is reasonable to consider adjunctive, steroid-sparing therapy in the treatment of patients with stroke thought to be caused by giant cell arteritis. In a patient-level meta-analysis of 3 randomized clinical trials, methotrexate use was associated with lower risk of diseases relapses. Similarly, 1 phase I clinical trial and 1 phase II clinical trial support the use of tocilizumab to increase the rate of sustained glucocorticoid-free remission.