Aneurysm Flashcards

1
Q

Aneurysm, what is it

A
  • an abnormal dilations in the blood vessels
  • occurs in any arteries: aorta, femoral, iliac, popliteal, cerebral, and sometimes veins, but way less common due to low pressure system
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2
Q

List the Different categories of aneurysm

A
  • True aneurysm: all layers of the blood vessels are dilated, subdivided into
    .Fusiform aneurysm -> true aneurysm balloting out symmetrically
    .Saccular (berry) aneurysm -> asymmetrical aneurysm: balloting only on one side (one side weaker)
  • Pseudoaneurysms: false aneurysms
    Caused by a small whole in the vessel -> causing the blood to leak out and form something that looks like a berry or fusiform aneurysm
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3
Q

Aortic aneurysm: locations

A
  • Aorta most commonly
  • Abdominal aorta (60%), below the renal artery and above the aortic bifurcation (due to less elastin -> weaker)
  • Thoracic aorta (40%)
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4
Q

Aortic aneurysm: C

A
  • due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall
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5
Q

Aortic aneurysm: E

A

1) HTN
If HTN occurs in the vasavasorum -> development of hyaline arteriosclerosis -> causing narrowing of their lumen -> causing ischemia to the aortic wall -> weakening of the aortic wall

2) Atherosclerosis
Mostly seen in the abdominal aorta

3) Tertiary syphilis
causes inflammation in the tunica intima of the vasa vasorum -> narrowed lumen -> restricted blood flow to the aortic aorta

4) Bacterial infections
Called mycotic aneurysms: emboli bacterias go to intracranial arteries, visceral arteries or arteries feeding arms and legs -> weakens vessel walls -> aneurysm

5) Genetic disorders
.Marfan syndrome
.Ehler’s danlos syndrome
.Cystic medial degeneration

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6
Q

Aortic aneurysm: Complications

A
  • intact aneurysms: no symptoms, unless in compresses organs/vessels around it -> Inf/Sup vena cava -> decreased venous return to the heart
  • Rupture: causing ischemia to the downwards tissues
  • aortic insufficiency: if the thoracic aneurysms is right above the aortic valve -> pulls aortic valves away -> preventing it from closing
  • Subarachnoid bleeding: causing pressure in brain tissue -> causing irritation of the meninges -> intense headache + inability to flex the neck forward
  • Blood clot formation
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7
Q

Aortic aneurysm: signs and symptoms

A
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysms: severe pain in the left flank, pulsatile mass, hypotension (classic sign of abdominal aortic aneurysms)
  • thoracic aortic aneurysms: usually no symptoms, severe back and abdominal pain,
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8
Q

Aortic aneurysm: diagnosis

A
  • imaging
  • US, CT, MRI
  • aortography is the preferred diagnostic modality for the evaluation of thoracic aortic aneurysm, although tranesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography scanning are often used before this
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9
Q

Aortic aneurysm: T

A
  • surgery
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10
Q

Charcot Bouchard micro aneurysms:

A
  • type of central nervous system aneurysm associated with chronic HTN and commonly affects the small vessels of the deep brain
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