Aneurysmal Disease Flashcards
An artery with a dilatation > ___% of its original diameter has an aneurysm.
An artery with a dilatation > 50% of its original diameter has an aneurysm.
what is a true aneurysm?
abnormal dilatations that involve all layers of the arterial wall
what is a false aneurysm?
involve a collection of blood in the outer layer only (adventitia) which communicates with the lumen (eg after trauma). These can be very worrying if they rupture.
what is a fusiform aneurysm?
spindle shaped - most AAAa are fusiform
what are the three categories of aneurysm shape?
- fusiform
- sacular (eg berry aneurysms)
- myototic- rare
how do myctotic aneurysms arise?
they arise secondary to an infectious process, involving all three layers of the artery. The artery expands rapidly because of the infection damage e.g in endocarditis or tertiary syphilis
where do most aneurysms occur? 4
aorta (infra-renal mot common)
iliac
femoral
popliteal
AAA:
- They occur _ times more frequently in men and in one in _ male children of an affected individual.
- Aneurysms may occur secondary to_____, _____
- They occur 5 times more frequently in men and in one in 4 male children of an affected individual.
- Aneurysms may occur secondary to atherosclerosis (bit iffy now though) , infection
what are the causes of AAA?
medial degeneration
- there is an imbalance in the proteins of the vessel wall.
- aneurysmal dilatation
- increase in aortic wall stress
- marfans syndrome
imbalance of proteins in the vessels wall - AAA
The problem is most likely due to impairment in the regulation of ____/_____ in the aortic wall and other enzymes
- _________ imbalance
Treatment of aneurysm could involve something that switches off this __________
The problem is most likely due to impairment in the regulation of elastin/collagen in the aortic wall and other enzymes
- metalloproteinase 9 imbalance
- Treatment of aneurysm could involve something that switches off this metalloproteinase
what are he risk factors for AAA?
age, smoking, male, hypertension
what are some complications of AAA
Rupture, thrombosis, embolism, fistulae, pressure on other structures
Elective aneurysm repair is a ______ operation to reduce the risk of____ balanced against the risk of the ______
Elective aneurysm repair is a prophylactic operation to reduce the risk of rupture balanced against the risk of the procedure
what are the two options for surgery of AAA?
1- EVAR - endovascular aneurysm repair)
2. open repair
what is EVAR?
- exclude AAA from ‘inside the vessel
- inserted via the peripheral arteries
- It is X-ray guided
how is open repair done for AAA?
- laparotomy
- clamp aorta and iliacs and insert dacron graft. Can use a tube or bifurcated graft
EVAR is not possible in __% of patients
25%
what are the benefits of EVAR vs open repair?
EVAR : Less mortality risk (2-4%)
(Far safer in complex aneurysms)
Much faster recovery (7-10 /7)
open repair:
- Once recovered can forget
- Rare further interventions
- Known to be effective for life
what are the symptoms of unruptured AAA?
Most are asymptomatic: they are identified on imaging for other pathologies
Roughly a quarter are symptomatic
may cause abdominal/back pain,
what are the signs of unruptured AAA?
An aneurysm is suspected if a pulsatile, expansile abdominal mass is felt
Patients may present with ‘trash feet’ which is dusky discolouration of the digits secondary to emboli from the aortic thrombus