Exam 2 Flashcards
The majority of vascular disease in the U.S. is caused by what two processes?
- Atherosclerosis
2. Thrombophlebitis
What are the 5 risk factors for atherosclerosis?
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Genetics
What are the 3 risk factors for thrombophlebitis?
- Endothelial injury
- Hypercoagulable state
- Circulatory stasis
What are the grades of the pulse exam?
0: non-palpable 1+ weak 2+ normal 3+ increased 4+ bounding/aneurysmal Dop: non-palpable, but signal dopplerable
What is a thrill?
Palpable vibration present with turbulent blood flow
A thrill might indicate what two problems?
- Arterial stenosis
2. Arteriovenous fistula
What is a bruit?
Audible blowing sound heard over an area of turbulent flow
A bruit might indicate what problem?
Arterial stenosis
What are the 10 important pulses?
- Carotid
- Subclavian
- Brachial
- Radial
- Ulnar
- Abdominal aorta
- Femoral
- Popliteal
- Dorsalis pedis
- Posterior tibial
Where can the subclavian artery be palpated?
Just above the clavicle
Where is the brachial artery palpated?
Against the humerus in the distal upper arm at the bend of the elbow just medial to the biceps tendon
Where do the radial and ulnar arteries connect?
Palmar arches
What does the Allen test examine?
Tests arterial blood flow to the hand
It is important to do a ___ prior to radial arterial puncture or line placement.
Allen test
Where is the femoral artery located?
Two finger breadths lateral to the pubic tubercle, just below the inguinal ligament
What facilitates palpation of the femoral artery in obese patients?
External rotation of the hip
Where is the dorsalis pedis artery palpated?
Between the first and second extensor tendons
Where is the posterior tibial artery palpated?
Just posterior to the medial malleolus
How does one test for chronic arterial insufficiency?
Buerger’s test
Describe Buerger’s test.
Elevate the leg >45 degrees for 1 minute; observe the foot for pallor; allow the patient to sit with feet dangling; observe the foot for rubor
What are the 6 P’s of acute arterial insufficiency?
- Pain
- Pallor
- Pulselessness
- Poikilothermia (change in temperature)
- Paresthesias (abnormal sensation)
- Paralysis
Arterial insufficiency can lead to what problems?
Gangrene, foot ulcerations, trophic changes (shiny skin, hair loss, thickened toenails)
If arteries are not palpable, use ___ to detect flow.
Doppler ultrasound
How is ankle-brachial index (ABI) calculated?
Systolic pressure at ankle/Systolic pressure in arm
What is a normal ABI?
1
What are the ABI ranges?
>1.29 - unreliable, non-compressible 0.95-1.29 - normal 0.81-0.94 - mild arterial insufficiency 0.41-0.80 - moderate arterial insufficiency <0.40 - severe arterial insufficiency
True or false - ABI only a useful measure if tibial arteries are non-compressible due to calcification.
False - it is NOT a useful measure in these situations.
When does calcification occur?
Diabetes and ESRD
If tibial vessels are calcified, what can be used instead of an ABI?
TBI (toe-brachial index)
What is a normal TBI range?
0.6-0.75
ABI is useful to document a change from baseline after ___ (give two examples). Change >0.15 is significant.
Revascularization
- Bypass
- Angioplasty/stent
What are 4 symptoms of DVT?
- Homan’s sign
- Edema
- Skin discoloration
- Congested foot veins
What is Homan’s sign?
Calf pain with passive dorsiflexion of the foot at the ankle
What are 3 symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?
- Edema
- Hyperpigmentation
- Ulceration
What does the Trendelenberg Test examine?
Venous valvular incompetence
How is the Trendelenberg test performed?
The patient is supine with the leg elevated. Compress the proximal thigh or calf with a tourniquet and have the patient stand.
- Look at varicose veins for rapid filling (rapid = incompetent perforator or communicating veins present)
- Release tourniquet, look at varicose veins for filling (if incompetent, vein rapidly fills from above)