connective diseases of circulatory system

Question 1

vasculitis

Answer 1

primary inflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls or secondary process associated w/ autoimmune response

complement cascade leads to disruption of cell membranes and damaged blood vessel walls

REFER OUT

Question 2

PT intervention vasculitis

Answer 2

watch for anyone w/ neuropathy who exhibits constitutional symptoms like fever, arthralgia, skin involvement b/c my be infection

Question 3

temporal arteritis

Answer 3

aka giant cell arteritis

a vasculitis involving the temporal and cranial arteries

incidence increases w/ age and postmenopausal women are affected twice as often as men

risk factors: smoking and heart murmurs

Question 4

temporal arteritis

Answer 4

tunica media becomes inflamed leading to stenosis

blood vessels are no longer elastic –> increase BP, hypertension may lead to stroke

Question 5

how does temporal arteritis present

Answer 5

unilateral headache

can lead to blindness

can lead to possible stroke, heart attack, aortic dissection

Question 6

diagnosis/treatment temporal arteritis

Answer 6

biopsy

NSAIDs

usually resolved b/w 6-12 months but permanent damage (self-limiting disease)