aortic dissection

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

A tear in the intima layer which leads to the formation of a false lumen for blood to flow through between the intima and media layer

Question 2

Consequences

Answer 2

• Blood can move back up to the heart and into pericardial space leading to tamponade
• Blood can rupture through media and out into mediastinum which ofter results in death
• Blood can continue to flow through false lumen and compress on other arteries interrupting flow e.g. the subclavian or the renal
• blood can puncture back into intima

Question 3

symptoms

Answer 3

Chest pain- radiating to back 
Collapse- relating to tamponade or aortic regurgitation 
ST elevation 
absent or reduced radial pulses 
pulmonary oedema 
hypo/hypertension

Question 4

Stanford Classification

Answer 4

Type A: ascending

Type B: everything that is not in ascending

Question 5

Treatment

Answer 5

Type A: surgery

Type B: monitor BP

Question 6

Aetiology

Answer 6

• smoking
• atherosclerosis
• hypertension
• congenital: marfans, co-archtation, bicuspid valve
• infection and inflammation: Syphillis and Takayasu

Question 7

What is Takayasu’s

Answer 7

granulomatous vasculitis
can lead to stenosis, aneurysm, thrombosis
can be treated with steroids and surgery