Cardiovascular System

Question 1

Define venous insufficiency

Answer 1

Persistent ambulatory lower extremity venous hypertension caused by venous pooling or insufficiency

Question 2

What are possible treatment options for chronic venous insufficiency?

Answer 2

Weight loss
Decreased time spent standing and sitting
Leg elevation, compression socks and physical exercise
Endovenous ablation (radiofrequency and laser) or foam sclerotherapy

Question 3

What is foam sclerotherapy?

Answer 3

injecting a foam sclerosant in a blood vessel to close it. The blood reroutes itself through healthy veins, restoring more normal blood flow

Question 4

What is the virchow triad?

Answer 4

Components contributing to the development of DVTS. Composed of

1. venous stasis
2. venous initial damage
3. hypercoaguable states

Question 5

What is post thrombotic syndrome?

Answer 5

A potential complication due to the damage caused to walls and valves of veins from DVT. Can occur weeks or months post DVT and last for years
S&S-chronic pain, swelling, redness and ulcers

Question 6

What is used to diagnose a DVT?

Answer 6

D-Dimer (blood test looking for protein fragments made when clots dissolve), doppler

Question 7

Define superior vena cava syndrome

What are the S&S?

Answer 7

Progressive occlusion of SVC that leads to venous distention in the upper extremities and head
S&S-edema, venous distention, cyanosis, hoarsness, stridor, cough, chest pain, CNS and resp changes

Question 8

WHAT IS COMPLICATED HYPERTENSION

Answer 8

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia with associated fibrosis of the tunica intima and media in vascular remodeling

Question 9

What is malignant hypertension or a hypertensive crisis?

Answer 9

Rapidly progressive hypertension. Can lead to encephalopathy (brain damage)

Question 10

What pathophysiologic factors contribute to hypertension?

Answer 10

Increased SNS activity

1. Increased HR and peripheral resistance
2. Insulin resistance-endothelial dysfunction
3. Vascular remodelling and procoagulant effects-narrowing of vessels and vasospasm

Question 11

What pharmacologic interventions can be used for hypertension?

Answer 11

ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers or aldosterone antagonists, calcium channel blockers, thiazide diuretics

Question 12

What defines orthostatic hypotension?

Answer 12

Decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressures on standing by 20mmHg or more and by 10mmHg or more respectively