Aortic Disease Flashcards
What are the main risk factors for atherosclerosis?
Hypertension Diabetes Hypercholesterolaemia Family History Smoking
What is the definition of an aneurysm?
A localised enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the vessel wall
What are saccular and fusiform aneurysms classed as?
True aneurysms
What makes a false aneurysm?
Rupturing of the aortic wall
What is an aortic dissection?
When blood managed to leak in between layers of the vessel and cause them to tear apart from each other
What are the main symptoms of a thoracic aneurysm?
SOB
Sharp chest pain radiating to the back
Hypotension
What are the aetiological factors of aortic dissection?
Hypertension
Atherosclerosis
Trauma
Marfans
What are the examination signs of an aortic dissection?
Reduced or absent peripheral pulse (BP mismatch between sides)
Soft early diastolic murmur
CXR shows widened mediastinum
Pulmonary oedema
What are Type A dissections described as?
Dissections that involve the ascending aorta irrespective of the side of the tear
What are Type B dissections decscribed as?
Dissections in which the ascending aorta is not involved
In treatment of Type B dissections, what is recommended if beta-blockers are contraindicated?
CCBs
What is Takayasu’s arteritis described as?
Granulomatous inflammation causing stenosis, thrombosis and possible aneurysms
Give 3 examples of congenital aortic aneurysms?
Bicuspid aortic valve
Marfans syndrome
Coarctation of the aorta
What condition is associated with a bicuspid aortic valve?
Aortic coarctation
What is aortic coarctation described as?
Congenital narrowing of the descending aorta
