Aortic Dissection & Aneurysm - Pathoma Flashcards
What is an Aortic Dissection?
Intimal tear with dissection of blood through the media of the aortic wall
What two things are required for aortic dissection to occur?
- Ton of stress (usually first 10cm)
2. Pre-existing weakness of the middle layer
What is the most common cause of aortic dissection?
Hypertension
-causes atrophied middle layer
What is the most common cause of death after Aortic dissection?
Pericardial tamponade
What are the less common causes of death after Aortic dissection?
- Obstruction (e.g. compress renal arteries)
- Fatal hemorrhage due to rupture into mediastinum
Where do aneurysms most commonly occur?
Thorax & Abdomen
What are aortic aneurysms due to?
WEAKNESS in aortic wall
Why is weakness in the thoracic aorta commonly seen in tertiary syphilis?
Tertiary Syphilis => End-arteritis (inflammation of small blood vessels) leads to atrophy of blood vessels that supply aortic wall
What is the most important complication of thoracic aortic dissection?
-Dilation of the aortic valve root => aortic insufficiency
What are other complications of thoracic aortic dissections?
- Compression of mediastinal structures
- Thrombosis/embolism
How does atherosclerosis cause AAA?
Oxygen is not able to diffuse to all three layers of the vessel wall => layers atrophy => weakened wall => predisposition to AAA
When is a AAA likely to rupture?
> 5cm
What is the triad of AAA rupture?
- Hypotension (they are bleeding)
- Pulsatile abdominal mass
- Flank pain
