Aortic Disease

Question 1

What are the 4 layers of the aorta (LIMA)

Answer 1

Lumen 
Tunica Intima (internal elastic membrane)
Tunica Media (external elastic membrane)
Tunica Adventitia (thin connective tissue layer with collagen and elastin fibres)

Question 2

What is a true aneurysm?

Answer 2

Swelling of all layers of blood vessels

Question 3

What are the 3 types of aneurysm?

Answer 3

Saccular,
Fusiform,
False

Question 4

What is a false aneurysm

Answer 4

Swelling between adventitia and the media

Question 5

What are the classifications for aortic dissection?

Answer 5

Debakey,

Standford

Question 6

what is aortic dissection standford class A?

Answer 6

Tear in aortic lining involving ascending aorta

Question 7

What is an aortic dissection class B standford classification?

Answer 7

Tear in aortic lining not involving ascending aorta

Question 8

S/s of aortic aneurysm?

Answer 8

SOB,
Heart failure, 
Sharp pain in relevant locations,
Hypotension, 
Pulsatile mass

Question 9

S/s of aortic dissection

Answer 9

Tearing, severe chest pain radiating to back,
Collapse, 
Reduce or absent peripheral pulses,
BP mismatch,
Aortic regurgitation

Question 10

RF of aortic dissection

Answer 10

Marfans, 
Hypertension, 
Infection,
Takayasu’s arteritis,
Bicuspid aortic valve

Question 11

AA investigation?

Answer 11

CT scan,

Echocardiogram

Question 12

Aortic dissection investigations

Answer 12

CXR

Question 13

What is takayasu’s arteritis?

Answer 13

Granulomatosis vasculitis of aorta and main branches

Question 14

What can takayasu’s arteritis cause?

Answer 14

Aneurysms, 
Stenosis, 
Thrombosis, 
Aneurysms, 
Renal artery stenosis, 
Neurological sings

Question 15

Treatment for takayasu’s arteritis?

Answer 15

Steroids and surgery