Aneurysms

Question 1

What is an aneurysm?

Answer 1

Congenital or acquired localised abnormal dilation of blood vessel or heart

Question 2

clinical presentation of aneurysm

Answer 2

Depending on location Abdominal pain/ chest pain
hypotension, and
pulsatile mass.

Question 3

Difference between true and false aneueysm, and give example

Answer 3

True: Involves all layers (although attenuated) of the vessel / heart wall e.g. atherosclerotic aneurysms
False: Extravascular hematoma that communicates with the intravascular space through a defect in the vessel wall
(‘pulsating hematoma’) e.g. ventricular rupture from myocardial infarction that is contained by pericardial
adhesions

Question 4

What causes aneurysms

Answer 4

Both congenital and acquired aneurysms occur when the structure or function of the connective tissue within the vascular wall is
compromised, resulting in medial degeneration.

Question 6

Which condition is characterised by defective type III collagen synthesis

Answer 6

Ehler-Danlos syndrome