Aortic Disease

Question 1

What is an aneurysm

Answer 1

• Aneurysm > local enlargement/bulge via vessel wall weakening

Question 2

What is a true aneurysm

Answer 2

True aneurysm > stretch and dilation of all 3 layers of artery

Question 3

False aneurysm

Answer 3

false aneurysm > rupture of wall with a contained haematoma by adventitia or soft tissue

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of aneurysm

Answer 4

dyspnoea, dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing), hoarseness, back pain and a
pulsatile mass;

more common in males (all men aged over 65 invited to undergo ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm)

Question 5

How swollen does aorta need to be to be classed as aneurysm

Answer 5

3cm (normally 2cm in health)

Question 6

How big does aneurysm need to be to be eligible for surgery

Answer 6

> 5.5cm

Question 7

What is a dissection

Answer 7

a tear in the inner wall, allowing blood to flow between the intima and media, splitting the media and causing a false lumen

Question 8

What is a stanford A vs B aneurysm

Answer 8

Stanford type A > involves ascending aorta with or without arch/descending; typically requires surgery

Stanford type B > only involves descending aorta; typically does not require surgery

Question 9

Risk factors for dissection

Answer 9

male gender, aged 50-70, hypertension, connective tissue

disorders

Question 10

What is coarctation

Answer 10

Narrowing of aorta

Question 11

Symptoms and signs of dissection

Answer 11

severe, sharp chest pain radiating to interscapular region, collpase

reduced or absent peripheral pulses, tachycardia, BP mismatch between sides, pulmonary oedema, ST elevation on ECG