Aneurysm & Aortic Dissection Flashcards
Pass the exam :)
What is Aneurysm?
Permanent, localized outpouching or dilation of the vessel wall
Aneurysms occur in men more often than in women and in whites more often than African Americans. True or False.
True
Can aneurysms may occur in more than one location?
Yes
Peripheral artery aneurysms is common than aortic aneurysm. True or False.
False
Three fourths of aortic aneurysms occur in the ______ aorta and one fourth in the ______ aorta.
abdominal; thoracic
Most abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) occur _____ (below or above) the renal arteries.
below
Smoking increases the risk for aortic aneurysm. True or False.
True
The incidence of AAA decreases with age. True or False.
False. It increases with age.
The larger the aneurysm, the lesser the risk of rupture. True or False
False. It is greater the risk of rupture.
What are the causes of aortic aneurysm?
- Degenerative (e.g., long term smoking, long term atherosclerosis)
- Congenital (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome)
- Mechanical (e.g, penetrating or blunt trauma, atherosclerosis)
- Inflammatory response (e.g., Takayasu’s arteritis)
- Infection (e.g., HIV)
What are the risk factors of aortic aneurysm?
Tobacco users, HTN, CAD, High cholesterol, Obesity, Lower extremities PAD, Family history, Age, Male, previous stroke
What is true aneurysm?
Aneurysm with at least one layer of wall of the artery is still intact
What is false aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm?
It is not an aneurysm. It is a disruption of all arterial wall layers with bleeding that is contained by surrounding anatomic structures.
What is fusiform aneurysm?
The bulge is relatively uniform in shape in all sides of the arterial vessel (Remember: uniform rhyme with fusiform)
What is saccular aneurysm?
The bulge is pouchlike with a narrow neck on one side of the arterial wall.
What are the examples of true aneurysm?
fusiform aneurysm
saccular aneurysm
What are the examples of false aneurysm?
trauma, infection, surgery
What are the clinical manifestations of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?
Often asymptomatic. If present: deep diffuse chest pain, stroke like symptoms, and pressure of the laryngeal nerve (cough, SOB, hoarseness, dysphagia).
What are the clinical manifestations of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
Often asymptomatic. Pulsatile mass (you can hear the pulse in periumbilical area slightly to the left of the midline), Bruit, Back pain, Patchy mottling (blue) feet and toes “blue toe syndrome”, Stomach discomfort or bowel issues.
What are the complications of AAA?
- Retroperitoneal rupture (s/s: severe back pain, Turner’s sign)
- bleeding may be controlled by surrounding structures
- Thoracic or Abdominal rupture (s/s: hypovolemic shock with tachycardia, hypotension, pale clammy skin, decreased urine output, altered LOC, abdominal tenderness)
- volume resuscitation and surgical repair must be done to control bleeding.
What is the highest risk factor for causing the weakening of arterial vessel wall leading to AAA?
smoking
What is the highest risk factor for AAA?
hypertension
What is the most serious complication of AAA?
rupture
What are the diagnostic tests done to check for AAA?
Chest X-ray, Abdominal x-ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI,
Angiography, Echocardiography, 12 lead EKG, Lab tests: Troponin, CKMD, Myoglobulin, LDL
What is the primary goal in the care of patient with AAA?
prevention of rupture
What is the plan of care for asymptomatic AAA less than 4.0 cm in diameter?
Monitor by ultrasound every 2 to 3 years.
What is the plan of care for asymptomatic AAA 4.0 cm to 5.4 cm in diameter?
- Work on modifiable risk factors such as cease smoking, gradually increase physical activity, optimize lipid profile, decrease BP)
- Monitor by ultrasound or CT Scan every 6 to 12 months
- Lower growth rate with beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARB, statins, and antibiotics
What is the plan of care for asymptomatic AAA 5.5 cm in diameter or larger?
Surgical repair
When is surgical repair recommended for patients with AAA?
- 5.5 cm in diameter or larger
- becomes symptomatic
- patients with genetic disorders such as Marfans syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- rapidly expanding aneurysm
- high risk for rupture
- assess co-morbidities (esp. lungs, kidneys, or heart)
It is important to know the ____ of the AAA to provide correct treatment.
size