diseases of the thoracic aorta Flashcards
What is a aneurysm
localised enlargement of an artery caused by weakening of a vessel wall
What is a true aneurysm
Weakness and dilation of all 3 layers of the blood vessel wall
What is a false aneurysm
Rupture of wall of aorta with the haematoma either contained by the thin adventitial layer or by the surrounding soft tissue
What is the presentation of a dissection of an aortic anerysm
- Sharp chest pain radiating to the back between the shoulder blades
- Hypotension
What is used to diagnose thoracic aneurysm
CT angiogram of aorta or MRI of aorta
What is an aortic dissection
Tear in the inner wall of the aorta - blood forces the walls apart - medical emergency
What are the clinical signs of an aortic dissection
- Reduced peripheral pulses
- hyper or hypotension
- BP mismatch between sides
- Aortic regurgitation
- pulmonary oedema
What is used to diagnose aortic dissection
CT angiogram of the aorta
What is the treatment of an aortic dissection
- blood pressure control
- emergency surgery
What is a bicuspid aortic valve and what can it cause
Instead of 3 cusps, the aortic valve has 2 cusps which causes coarctation of the aorta and can make the aorta prone to aneurysm and dissection
Where does aortic coarctation commonly occur
Near where the ductus arteriosus inserts
What are the clinical signs of coarctation of the aorta
- cold legs
- poor leg pulses
- radial-radial delay
- radio-femoral delay on the side which has the subclavian with the coarctation
What is the treatment of coarctation of aorta
Percutaneous or surgical correction
