Aortic Disease Flashcards
state the classes of aortic aneurysms (classified by site)
ascending aorta aneurysm
aortic arch aneurysm
descending aorta aneurysm
abdominal aorta aneurysm
what is an especially serious aortic aneurysm
an ascending aorta aneurysm
what are the symptoms of an ascending aorta aneurysm
dull pain of the chest tenderness in the chest cough hoarseness shortness of breath pain in the back, jaw or neck
what are the causes/risk factors of ascending aorta aneurysms
heart disease older age family history genetics infection
what are the imaging tests to detect an aortic aneurysm
ECHO
CT scan
MRI angiography
what are the methods of treatment of an aortic aneurysm
open surgery
endovascular surgery
emergency surgery
describe an abdominal aorta aneurysm
it is an enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta, it is a bulge or swelling that can be dangerous
what are the signs of symptoms of thoracic aneurysms based on the location of the aneurysm
shortness of breath
heart failure
aortic regurgitation
dysphagia and hoarseness - ascending aorta aneurysm or chronic aneurysm
sharp chest pain radiating to the back between the shoulder blades
pulsatile mass
hypotension
what is aortic dissection
it is a serious condition in which the inner layer of the aorta tears
describe aortic dissection
blood surges through the tear in the aorta, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate - dissect
describe aortic arch dissection
it is either a dissection limited to the aortic arch or a dissection arising distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery and extending proximally into the arch but not involving the ascending aorta
what are type A Stanford thoracic aortic dissections
they are dissections involving the ascending aorta, regardless of the site of origin
what are type B Stanford thoracic aortic dissections
they are dissections not involving the ascending aorta
what are the 2 most common classification systems of thoracic aortic dissection
Standford and DeBakey
what are type 1 DeBakey thoracic aortic dissections
they are dissections that originate in the ascending aorta and propagates at least to the aortic arch
what are type 2 DeBakey thoracic aortic dissections
they are dissections that originate in and are confined to the ascending aorta
what are type 3 thoracic aortic dissections
they are dissections that originate in the defending aorta and extend distally down the aorta
state 4 etiological factors of dissection
hypertension
atherosclerosis
trauma
Marfan’s syndrome
state symptoms and signs of aortic dissection
tearing, severe chest pain radiating to the back collapse tamponade acute aortic regurgitation external rupture inferior ST elevation around 50% mortality prehospital admission reduced or absent peripheral pulses hypotension hypertension soft early diastolic murmer aortic regurgitation pulmonary oedema CXR - shows widened mediastinum
describe the treatment of aortic dissection
surgery
meticulous blood pressure control
sodium nitroprusside
state an infection relating to the aorta
syphillis
state inflammation relating to the aorta
Takayasu’s arteritis
what is Takayasu arteritis
it is rare, systemic, inflammatory, large-vessel vasculitis with unknown aetiology, it is defined as granulomatous inflammation of the aorta and its major branches and most commonly affects woman of childbearing age
what is bicuspid aortic valve
it is an inherited form of heart disease
describe bicuspid aortic valve
2 of the leaflets of the aortic valve fuse during development in the womb resulting in a 2 leaflet valve instead of the normal 3 leaflet valve
bicuspid aortic valve instead or tricuspid
what is a bicuspid aortic valve associated with
coarctation
what does having a bicuspid aortic valve make you prone to
aneurysm dissection stenosis regurgitation an abnormal aorta reduced tensile strength
what is coarctation of the aorta also described as
aortic narrowing
what is coarctation of the aorta
it is a congenital condition whereby the aorta is narrow
where is coarctation of the aorta most common
in the aortic arch
state the 3 shunts of coarctation
ductus arteriosus
foramen ovale
ductus venosus
state the 3 types of coarctation
pre ductal
ductal
post ductal
where does coarctation usually occur
in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts
what type of coarctation can be life threatening if the narrowing is severe
pre ductal coarctation
what are the signs of coarctation
cold legs
poor leg pulses
radial-radial delay and right radial-femoral delay if the coarctation occurs before the left subclavian artery
no radial-radial delay and right and left radio-femoral delay if the coarctation occurs after the left subclavian artery
state symptoms of coarctation
chest pain cold feet or legs dizziness or waiting decreased ability to exercise failure to thrive leg cramps with exercise nosebleed poor growth
what can be used to detect the location and severity of aortic coarctations
ECHO
what is Marfan’s syndrome
it is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue
what are the signs/features of Marfan’s syndrome
tall and slender build disproportionately long arms, legs and fingers a breastbone that protrudes outward or dips inward a high, arched palate and crowded teeth heart murmurs extreme nearsightedness an abnormally curved spine flat feet
