Chapter 26 Assessment & Management of Patients w/ Vascular Disorders & Problems of Peripheral Circulation Flashcards
Where does the right side of the heart pump blood to?
This side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs into pulmonary circulation
Where does the left side of the heart pump blood to?
This side of the heart pumps blood to all other body tissues via systemic circulation
Function of the Vascular System
Supplies circulatory needs of tissues
Maintains blood flow & BP
Capillary filtration and reabsorption:
-Hemodynamic resistance
-Peripheral vascular regulating
mechanisms
What is the driving force that moves blood through the vascular system?
Ventricular contraction
Pathology of Peripheral Vascular Disorders
Pump failure = inadequate peripheral blood flow
* Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF or systolic HF)
* Causes accumulation of blood in the lungs, reduced CO, and inadequate arterial blood flow to tissues
* Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF or diastolic HF)
* Causes systemic venous congestion and reduced CO
Alterations in blood and lymphatic vessels (reducing flow)
* Arterial - damage or blockage to vessels by atherosclerotic plaque, thromboembolus, infection or inflammatory process, etc.
* Venous – thromboembolus obstructing vein, incompetent venous valves, or reduced effectiveness of surrounding muscles
* Lymphatic – tumor, damage from mechanical trauma, or inflammatory process
Circulatory insufficiency of the extremities
* Most disorders results in ischemia and produces symptoms of pain, skin changes, diminished pulses, and possible edema
Disorders & Diseases Seen in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Aneurysms
Aortic dissection
Embolism & Thrombosis
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Disorders & Diseases Seen in Peripheral Venous Disease
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
Venous Insufficiency or Postthrombotic Syndrome
Leg Ulcers
Varicose Veins
Physical Assessment of PAD
Areas to assess: Skin color, temperature, pulses
Expected Assessment Findings
-Cool & pale extremities
-Rubor
-Cyanosis
-Loss of hair, brittle nails, dry or scaling skin, atrophy & ulcerations
-Edema
-Gangrenous changes w/prolonged severe ischemia
Where do arteries distribute blood?
Distributes oxygenated blood from the LT side of the heart to the tissues
Arterioles
The smallest arteries that are generally embedded w/in the tissues
Function of Arterioles
Regulate volume & pressure in arterial system
Regulate blood flow to the capillaries
Arteries & Arterioles Wall Composition
3 layers: The intima, media, & adventitia
The Intima
Inner endothelial layer of arterial wall
Function of the Intima
Provides a smooth surface for contact w/moving blood
The Media
Middle layer made up of smooth muscle & elastic tissue
Function of the Media
Gives the vessel considerable strength
Allows to constrict & dilate to accommodate the blood ejected from the heart during each cardiac cycle (stroke volume)
Maintain an even steady blood flow
The Adventitia
Outer layer of connective tissue
Function of the Adventitia
Control diameter of the blood vessel via contracting & relaxing
How do arterioles offer resistance to blood flow?
Altering their diameter
Capillary Wall Composition
Lack smooth muscle & adventitia
Single layer of endothelial cells
What effect does the thin wall composition of capillaries have on circulation?
Permits rapid & efficient transport of nutrients to the cells & removal of metabolic wastes
What effect does a capillary wall’s diameter (5-10 mcm) have on red blood cell passage?
RBCs must alter their shape in order to pass through this blood vessel
As blood passes through tissue capillaries…
…O2 is removed & CO2 is added
What influences a capillary wall’s diameter?
Changes are passive
Influenced by contractile changes in the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the capillary