Aneurysms Flashcards
Aneurysms
Hypertension over a long period of time causes BLOOD VESSEL walls to THICKEN and eventually burst
Aneurysms Explained
Hypertension weakens the walls of ARTERIES, increasing development of bulges in arterial walls called ANEURYSMS
Aneurysms cause turbulent blood flow and are susceptible to rupture
What may be heard over an aneurysm?
Bruits “Brewie”
Most common area for an aneurysm?
Aorta + Cerebral arteries
Aneurysms are most common in people that have what?
HTN
3 Types of Aneurysm
- Saccular
- outward bubble - Fusiform
- entire circumference of artery bulges - Pseudo
- blood gets in between the walls of the artery
Common Aneurysms
Abdominal Aortic (AAA)
- above or below renal artery
- Infrarenal: Below
- Suprarenal: Above
Thoracic Aortic
-Thoracic cavity
Cerebral
-Brain
Variations: Dissecting aortic aneurysm, false (pseudo) aneurisms
- Saccular Aneurysm
- Balloon shaped
- Involves only one part of the circumference
- Wide neck
- Fusiform Aneurysm
- Bulge of entire circumference of vessel/artery
- Gradual/progressive dilation
- Potentially extensive involvement
- Berry Aneurysms
- Subtype of saccular
- Smaller neck
- Located at bifurcation
- Common location: Circle of Willis (base of brain)
- False (Pseudo) Aneurysm
- Localized dissection or tear in inner artery wall
- Type of hematoma
- Blood flows in-between artery wall
- Complication of vascular interventional procedures
Aortic Aneurysm types
Damage depends on where in the aorta the aneurysm occurs
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Auscultation of a bruit over the abdominal aorta suggests the presence of an aneurysm
***If a pulsatile mass is evident in the abdomen during inspection or light palpation, deep palpation should NOT be preformed until possibility of AAA is ruled out
Biggest complication of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
Rupture!
-largest vessel and under the highest amount of pressure
Dissection
Dissecting Aneurysm:
-Layers of the wall of the artery are separated and blood enters the region
