Circulatory Disorders Flashcards
What are the 3 layers in a normal artery?
Tunica adventitia - outer layer
Tunica media - middle layer
Tunica intima - inner layer
What is Atheroma?
This is the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque) in the tunica media of large and medium arteries.
What are the risk factors of circulatory disorders?
Age Hypertension Diet (high calories, saturated fats, high cholesterol) Obesity Sedentary life style Alcohol consumption Family factors (genetic, environment) Sex (most common in men) Presence of other diseases (i.e diabetes) Smoking
What is the effect of a circulatory disorder?
The main effect is either partial or complete blockage of the artery by the plaques alone or in combination with a thrombus.
What is Arteriosclerosis?
This is a progressive degenerative condition resulting in the thickening and loss of elasticity of the arteries commonly associated with ageing.
The most common form involves lipid deposits.
What is Thrombosis?
If the epithelium (tunica intima) lying over the plaques begins to break down, platelets are stimulated by the damaged cells and an intra-vascular blood clot (Thrombus) is formed.
If a thrombus partially or completely blocks an artery or vein then the resulting condition is named Thrombosis.
What is the effect of a Thrombosis?
Ischaemia or infarction of the tissue distal (below) to the blockage will occur.
What is an embolism?
This is a fragment of the thrombus that has become detached and travels in the bloodstream until it lodges in and blocks a smaller vessel.
Embolism can also happen from air, nitrogen, fat, amniotic fluid (fluid surrounding unborn baby), plastic.
What are the possible effects of embolus?
Myocardial Infarction
Cerebral Infarction
Pulmonary Infarction
Renal Infarction
What are Aneurysms?
They are abnormal local dilatations of arteries which can vary considerably in size and the cause can range from being unknown to Atheroma and arteriosclerosis.
What are the 3 types of aneurysm?
Saccular - in the brain
Fusiform - in the abdominal
Dissecting - in the arch of the aorta
What are the signs and symptoms of aortic aneurysm (Thoracic Aneurysm)?
Sudden and severe ripping or tearing chest pain with no preceding symptoms Maximum pain from onset Located in central chest area or in back between scapula Decrease in femoral or carotid pulse Narrowing pulse pressure Possible difference in blood pressure between arms Severe shock and fear Possible signs and symptoms of a stroke ECG changes Cardiac tamponade Distended neck veins Pulses paradoxes Exsanguination
What are the signs and symptoms of an abdominal aneurysm?
Abdominal and back pain in AAA rupture Renal colic type pain Pain is constant, moderate to severe Radiates into thigh and groin Urge to defecate Syncope Possible pulsatile mass in abdomen ( do not touch it!) Exsanguination
What are varicose veins?
It is a vein so dilated that the valves do not close to stop back flow of blood.
What are the causes of varicose veins?
Heredity Gender Age Obesity Gravity Pressure
