A chronic inflammatory process that affects the AORTA and its primary branches, such as the brachiocephalic artery (BRACHIOCEPHALIC TRUNK) and CAROTID ARTERIES. It results in progressive arterial stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysm formation. The pulse in the arm is hard to detect. Patients with aortitis syndrome often exhibit retinopathy. A rare inflammatory large-vessel vasculitis primarily affecting the aorta and its major branches, but also other large vessels, causing stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm.