Aorta and PAD clinical Flashcards
What is an aneurysm?
ii. what is the difference between a true and a false aneurysm
An artery with a dilation >50% of its original diameter
an aorta >1.5 times expected size, which is generally defined as aorta >3cm
ii. true aneurysm involves all layers of arterial wall a false one doesn’t
What are the causes of an abdominal aorta aneurysm?
Atheroma
trauma
hypertension
smoking
genetics (marfans)
What are the signs and symptoms of ruptured AAA?
Intermittent or continuos abdominal pain (radiates to back,illiac fossae or groin)
collapse and shock
pulsatile
may be tachycardic/hypotensive
How do you diagnose ruptured AAA?
Abdominal US
CT
How do you manage ruptured AAA?
Surgical repair: open or endovascular.
Infra renal: EVAR (enter from femoral artery). Endovascular aortic repair
Supra renal: TVAR (enter from thoracic aorta). thoracic endovascular aortic repair
screening programme:
Should be offered to all men > 65.
Thought to be safe to monitor all aneurysms <5.5cm in size.
In aneurysms >5.5cm, surgical repair should be offered but mortality can be up to 50%.
What are the signs and symptoms of unruptured AAA?
often asymptomatic
May be picked up incidentally on abdominal exam.
On examination: pulsatile abdominal mass.
How do you diagnose unruptured AAA?
abdominal US
CT
How do you manage unruptured AAA
screening programme
elective surgery : if >5.5cm
what is aortic dissection?
It is the splitting within the tunica media . This creates a false lumen where blood now travels through - very dangerous.
What are the risk factors of aortic dissection?
Hypertension.
Trauma including surgery.
Connective tissue disease: Marfans. associated with aortic root dilation. causes aortic regurgitation
Inherited diseases: Turners syndrome. associated with coarcation of aorta
What are the signs and symptoms of aortic dissection?
sudden chest pain (+/-) radiation to back
Radial – radial pulse delay.
Unequal BP between both arms
How do you diagnose and manage aortic dissection?
Diagnostic investigation: CT or MRI or TOE (transeophageal echocardiogram)
Management:
Analgesia.
B blockers – reduce cardiac output and amount of blood being forced into the dissection. or CCB if B blockers are contraindicated
Open or endovascular repair.
What are the categories for the symptoms of Peripheral artery disease?
ii. which stages suggest critical limb ischaemia
Stage I – asymptomatic
Stage II – intermittent claudication
Stage III – rest pain/nocturnal pain
Stage IV – necrosis/gangrene.
ii. stage 3/4
What do people complain of if they have intermitten claudication?
Cramping pain in the calf, thigh or buttock after walking for a given distance and is relieved by rest
What are the symptoms of critical limb ischaemia? (severe form of PAD)
Ulceration, gangrene and foot pain at rest
burning pain at night relieved by hanging legs over side of bed