Aneurysms and carotid artery surgery-Presentation investigation and therapy Flashcards
What is aneurysm disease of aorta?
- Dilation of all layers of aorta
- increase diameter of >50%
- Abdominal aorta >3cm
What is the causes of aneurysm disease?
- Degenerative disease
- Connective tissue (Marfans)
- Infection (mycotic aneurysm)
What are the risk factors for degenerative AAA disease?
- Male
- Age
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Family history
When are men invited for AAA screening in the uk?
65
What are the outcomes of screening?
- A) Normal aorta, discharged
- B)Small AAA
- C) Medium AAA
- D)Large AAA
What is the size of a small AAA?
(3.0-4.4 cm) - annunal scans
What is the size of a medium AAA?
(4.5-5.5cm) monthly scans
What is the large AAA size?
5.5cm
When is AAA symptomatic?
impending rupture
Increasing back pain
What are the symptoms of AAA rupture?
- Abdo/back/flank
- Painful pulsatile mass
- Haemodynamic instability
- Hypoperfusion
What are the unusual presentations of AAA?
- Distal embolism
- Aortocaval fistula (Aotra and VC)
- Aortoenteric fistula (Aorta and oesophagus)
- Ureteric occulsion
- Duodenal obstruction
How do you measure patient fitness?
- Full history
- Bloods
- ECG
- ECHO
- PFTs
- MPS
- CPEX (Exercise test)
What does PFTs for?
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
What does MPS stand for?
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a, is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain in multiple myofascial trigger points (“knots”) and fascial (connective tissue) constrictions. It can appear in any body part.
When is treatment conservative for AAA?
- If pateint/aneurysm not fit for repair
- Consider event of rupture
What are the general complications of an open repair?
- Wound infection
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Scar