Atheroma

Question 1

Risk factors

Answer 1

Smoking
Hypertension
Age
Gender (males)
Salt intake
Diabetes
Stress
Genetics

Question 2

Formation of an atheromatous plaque

Answer 2

Endothelial injury (caused by risk factors)

Lipid accumulation - Increased LDL, Decreased HDL

LDL oxidised to OXLDL

Migration of smooth muscle cells - causes narrowing of the lumen

Macrophages convert OXLDL to foam cells which form a fatty streak

Release of inflammatory substances causes deposition of collagen

Atheromatous plaque formed

Endothelium forms a fibrous cap over the plaque

Plaque can partially or fully obstruct the blood flow through an artery

Question 3

Complications (stenosis)

Answer 3

Narrowing of the lumen

Question 4

Complications (thrombosis)

Answer 4

Abnormal mass formed from the flowing constituents of the circulation
mass plugs the lumen
shuts of blood supply

Question 5

Complications (Aneurysm)

Answer 5

Dilation of a vessel by more than 50%
Abnormal weakness in the wall of an artery
True - all three layers of vessel wall are in-tact
False - breach involving all three layers of vessel wall
Saccular - sac like structure
Fusiform - buldges on all sides of vessel wall
Mycotic - secondary to an infectious process

Question 6

Complications (Dissection)

Answer 6

Splitting of an artery in the blood vessel wall causing loss of blood to the actual circulation and forming a pool of stagnant blood in the dissection

Question 7

Complications (Embolism)

Answer 7

Thrombus and plaque material may break off and travel around the vasculature to a point where it gets stuck
Air embolism - complication of surgical procedures
Fat embolism - after large skeletal injuries
Septic embolism - In association with an infectious agent