What is an aneurysm? (what % bigger does the vessel need to be?)
An aneurysm is a dilated artery (50%+ bigger than normal)
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What is an atherosclerotic aneurysm? Describe the process of it forming.
If an atherosclerotic plaque develops it puts more pressure on the artery. The artery may dilate to maintain flow, however if there is disproportionate dilation because the artery walls are weakened then an aneurysm can form.
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Atherosclerosis can cause AAA (abdo. aortic aneurysm). What % of males >60 have an AAA. How big does the dilation have to be to be considered an AAA?
5% of males >60 yrs have AAA. It is a dilation of the abdominal aorta of >3 cm
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True or false they are mostly asymptomatic?
True (at least until they rupture...)
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What is the difference between a 'true' and 'false/pseudo-' aneurysm?
True = when all layers of the arterial wall are involved. False = collection of blood that forms between the two outer layers of an artery, the tunica media and the tunica adventitia.
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Is AAA a true or false aneurysm?
True aneurysm
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How would an AAA rupture present? (surgical emergency)
Classic abdominal pain (epigastric & radiating to the back); signs of shock.
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What are some risk factors for AAA rupture?
High BP, smoker, FH of AAA/rupture
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When would you elect to monitor an AAA rather than use surgical intervention?
If the AAA is <5.5 cm then risks outweigh the benefits (only 1% chance of rupture + 5% chance of complications). 75% of monitored AAAs will eventually require surgery.
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When would you choose to use a surgical intervention for AAA?rather than monitoring.
>5.5cm OR expanding by >1cm per year OR if i is symptomatic
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AAA should always be in your mind for any patient >__ yrs presenting with 'renal colic' -like pain
AAA should always be in your mind for any patient >50 yrs presenting with 'renal colic' -like pain
What is thoracic aortic dissection? (Which layers of the arterial wall does it involve?
A tear in the intima causes blood to flow into the media. This blood flow splits the media. The blood flow in the tear can be retrograde or anterograde.
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Describe the signs and symptoms of thoracic aortic dissection
A sudden 'tearing' chest pain (may radiate to the back). May have nausea, vomiting or a 'light head'. Also may develop complications that arise from the dissection.
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What is the difference between Type A and Type B aortic dissection and what is more common?
Type A (70%) = involve the Ascending aorta (A for Ascending). Type B (30%) = do not involve the ascending aorta.
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In a patient with thoracic aortic dissection the mediastinum would appear classically ________. What scan would be used to accurately diagnose dissection? (symptoms can be vague)
The mediastinum would widened on CXR. CT is used to confirm diagnosis with high specificity and sensitivity
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What complication would occur if dissection lead to retrograde flow into the pericardium?
Cardiac tamponade (fluid in the pericardial space which reduces the hearts ability to fill)
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If the dissection spreads more distally (anterograde) it can cause block branches of the aorta. What would this cause if the coronary arteries became blocked?
Myocardial infarction
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Blockage of what artery might cause hemiplegia?
The carotid artery.
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What is anuria and blockage of what vessels from aortic dissection would cause this?
Anuria = inability of kidneys to produce urine. Blockage of renal arteries.
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Blockage of what arteries would cause acute mesenteric iscahemia?
SMA or IMA
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What would blockage of iliac arteries cause?
acute lower limb ischaemia
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is an atherosclerotic aneurysm? Describe the process of it forming.
Back
If an atherosclerotic plaque develops it puts more pressure on the artery. The artery may dilate to maintain flow, however if there is disproportionate dilation because the artery walls are weakened then an aneurysm can form.
Card 3
Front
Atherosclerosis can cause AAA (abdo. aortic aneurysm). What % of males >60 have an AAA. How big does the dilation have to be to be considered an AAA?
Back
Card 4
Front
True or false they are mostly asymptomatic?
Back
Card 5
Front
What is the difference between a 'true' and 'false/pseudo-' aneurysm?
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