Aneurysm

Question 1

What is an aneursym?

Answer 1

A persistant, abnormal dilatation of a vessel that is 1.5x the normal size.

Question 2

What causes an aneurysm to form?

Answer 2

Laplace law: larger a vessel diameter the higher the tension on that segment of vessel - causing it to expand.

Vasa vasorum are the vessels supplying the arterial walls - they are blocked by atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis also damages the tunica media - weakening the wall.

Question 3

Types of aneursym?

Answer 3

Saccular: small area distended

Fusiform: all sides

False (pseudo): wall is ruptured + collection of blood bound externally

Question 4

Risk Factors?

Answer 4

Smoking

HTN

Hyperlipidaemia

FH

MALE

OLDER

Question 5

What are the most common aneurysm sites?

Answer 5

Abdominal aorta

Popliteal fossa

Femoral

Question 6

What limb area is most common?

Answer 6

Popliteal - 70/80%

Question 7

How does a popliteal aneursym normally present?

Answer 7

Symptomatically or ALI or intermittant claudication

Question 8

Ix for popliteal?

Answer 8

USS Duplex

Question 9

Rx for popliteal?

Answer 9

>2.5cm then treat

Endovascular repair = stent insertion

Ligation or resection with bypass graft.

Question 10

What are femoral aneurysms normally like?

Answer 10

Pseudoaneurysms

Question 11

Complications of aneurysm?

Answer 11

they can rupture

also high risk of clot formation