Devine Flashcards
What is the cause of increased pulse pressure in aging?
Pulse pressure is systolic blood pressure minus diastolic. It is widened in aging due to loss of elasticity of the aorta as might occur in atherosclerosis
What vessel is primarily responsible for increased blood pressure (and peripheral blood pressure regulation)?
The arteriole. It constricts to elevate pressure; dilates to lower pressure.
Endothelial cell properties and functions
Maintains permeability layer
Endothelial cell consequences of activation: endothelial dysfunction.
When activated, promotes thrombosis; modulates blood flow; activated endothelium is proinflammatory and promotes cell growth; endothelium oxidizes LDL cholesterol
Endothelial dysfunction
Consequence of prolonged activation. Hypercoagulable, atherogenic and impaired vasodilation. Endothelial dysfunction is a feature of hypertension and diabetes.
Varicosities; complications
Abnormally dilated, tortuous veins. Result in stasis/brown induration of legs, skin ulcers
Phlebitis; where is the most significant location and the risks associated with it?
Inflammation of a vein; usually associated with thrombus, ie thrombophlebitis. Deep veins of the legs are most significant due to source of pulmonary embolus
Define lymphangiitis. What is the usual cause?
Acute inflammation of lymph vessels; most commonly due to group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. Painful, subcutaneous red streak. Risk for sepsis (systemic response).
Define lymphedema and list causes
Edema due to malformation or obstruction of lymph channels. May be primary (hereditary malformation) or secondary to tumor, surgery, filarial (elephantisias, due to massive enlargement of an extremity).
What is the most serious complication of edema?
Complications include orange peel skin (peau d’orang) and angiosarcoma
Define AV malformation
Abdnormal communication between an artery and a vein, without intervening capillaries
What are the complications: AV malformation
May rupture/hemorrhage; may cause heart failure, rupture and hemorrhage
What are the major morphologic features and most frequent consequences of atherosclerosis?
Fatty streak: earliest arterial change; may be seen in infancy; no consequences
Atheroma/atheromatous plaque: fibrofatty plaque; at bifurcations; origins of branches. Intima thickened; lipid core.
Plaque may be soft (noncalcified) or hard (calcified). Fibrous cap is thick in stable plaque; thin in vulnerable plaque.
Narrowing of coronary artery produces angina; plaque change results in unstable angina and myocardial infarction.
Weakened artery wall (aorta) results in aneurysm.
What are specific consequences of atherosclerosis: Coronary arteries:
MI
What are specific consequences of atherosclerosis: Carotid & cerebral arteries
Strokes
What are specific consequences of atherosclerosis: Abdominal aorta
Aneurysm