3. Diseases of Aorta and Pericarditis Flashcards
Most common arterial aneurysm in adults is…
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Criteria for aortic aneurysm
Segmental dilation of all layers of layers of aorta
In adults aneurysm = dilation >3cm (more than 50% of regular diameter)
Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors
HTN
Smoking
Age
Male
Atherosclerosis
Abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms
None if unruptured
Pain, pulsatile mass, low BP if ruptured
Abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnostics
Ultrasound for symptomatic
CT for stable/surgery plan
Screen men 65-75 who ever smoked with ultrasound OR men/women with 1st degree relative
Abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment
No surgery until >5.5cm
Thoracic aortic aneurysm cause
Collagen disorders (Marfans, Ehrlers-Danlos)
Thoracic aortic aneurysm symptoms
Half asymptomatic
Maybe chest pain from trachea, esophagus, RLN compression
Thoracic aortic aneurysm signs
Feel aortic impulse at right sternal border
Thoracic aortic aneurysm diagnostics
MRI and CT most common
Chest x-ray = widened mediastinum
Thoracic aortic aneurysm treatment
Beta blockers to control BP
Worry about rupture >5cm
Aortic dissection cause
Tear in aorta leads to hematoma between layers
Aortic dissection classifications
Stanford:
A- Ascending involved (connective disorder)
B- Descending only (age, HTN)
DeBakey
1 - whole aorta
2 - only ascending
3 - no ascending/arch involved
Aortic dissection risk factors
HTN
Age
Male
Atherosclerosis
Aortic dissection symptoms
Abrupt ripping pain in back/chest
Type A = syncope
Type B = pain in back, legs
Aortic dissection diagnostics
CT = method of choice
Aortic dissection treatments
Depends on status
Emergency = surgical repair
Stable = aggressive BP control with beta blockers
Takayasu arteritis cause
Inflammatory disease of aorta and branches
Autoimmune
Takayasu arteritis symptoms
Fever
Constitutional symps
Claudication
Light headed
Cyanosis
Takayasu arteritis risk factors
Asian female, age 10-40
Takayasu Arteritis signs
BP discrepancy between arms
Takayasu arteritis diagnostics
CBC - Normocytic normochromic anemia (body hordes iron)
MRA or CTA best imaging
Inflammatory markers
Takayasu arteritis treatment
Systemic glucocorticoids
Giant cell/temporal arteritis cause
Inflammation of temporal artery