Aortic Aneurysms and Carotid Artery Disease- Presentation, Investigation and Therapy Flashcards
What is an aneurysm
Dilatation of all layers of the aorta, leading to an increase in diameter of >50% (abdominal aorta >3.5cm)
Branches of descending aorta (6)
- Left gastric artery
- Hepatic artery
- Splenic artery
- Right and Left renal artery
- Superior and Inferior mesenteric artery
- Bifurcation and iliac vessels
Causes of aneurysm disease (3)
Degenerative disease
Connective tissue disease- Marfan’s
Infection (mycotic aneurysm)
Risk factors
Smoking Age Male Hypertension Family history
How prevalent is the disease in 1st degree male relatives
30%
Why is a screening programme used
To detect dangerous swelling of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body
Who is the screening programme aimed towards (2)
Men
65+
What is the criteria for screening (10)
- Definable disease
- Prevalence
- Severity of disease
- Natural history
- Reliable detection
- Early detection confers advantage
- Treatment options available
- Cost
- Feasibility
- Acceptability
Outcomes for screening (4)
Normal
Small AAA
Medium AAA
Large AAA
Small AAA
3.4-4cm invited for annual USS
Medium AAA
4.5-5.5 invited for 3 monthly USS scans
Large AAA
> 5.5cm
Impending rupture symptoms (2)
- Increasing back pain
* Tender AAA
Rupture Symptoms (4)
- Abdo/back/flank pain
- Painful pulsatile mass
- Haemodynamic instability (single episode or progressive)- perfusion failure leading to shock and advanced heart failure
- Hypoperfusion- decreased blood flow through an organ
Presentation (5)
Distal embolism- Trash foot Aorticaval fistula Aortoenteric fistula Ureteric occlusion Duodenal obstruction
UK Small Aneurysm Trial (Lancet 1998)
- Surgery did not confer any benefit (e.g. survival) for aneurysms <5.5cm
- 30 day mortality 5.8% vs risk of rupture 1% (per year)
How is patient fitness assessed for surgery (9)
Full history and examination Bloods ECG ECHO PFTs MPS CPEX End of bed test Patience preference
USS (5)
No radiation No contrast Cheap Operator dependent Inadequate for surgical planning
CT/MRA (5)
Quick Not operator dependent Necessary for surgical planning Contrast Radiation
General complications of open repair (4)
Wound infection / dehiscence
Bleeding
Pain
Scar