Foundation-Vascular Flashcards
What is the most common location of aortic aneurysm
AAA=infrarenal abdominal aorta
What is TAA generally caused by?
Cystic medial necrosis
–>Familial TAA
What is the triad of a ruptured AAA (diagnostic)
- Hypotension
- Back or abdominal pain
- Pulsatile abdominal mass
What is diagnostic of TAA (ascending thoracic aorta)
Pressure on adjacent structures
- Hoarseness- laryngeal nerce
- Resp. sx’s- Trachea
- LE pain- thrombi
What is the gold standard diagnostic for aortic aneurysms?
Ultrasound
What is the treatment for an unstable pt with ruptured aneurysm?
immediate surgical intervention
Who do we screen for Aortic Aneurysms?
- Men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked
2. People aged >60 who have a positive FHx for AAA
Stanford classification for Type A dissection
Involved ascending aorta and aortic arch
Stanford classification for Type B dissection
Involved descending aorta
What population do we see aortic dissections at an earlier age than normal? And what age?
- Marfan’s Syndrome- Connective tissue dz
- Mean age = 36
What is the top risk factor for aortic dissection?
HTN= 70%
What population are aortic dissections the most common in?
middle-aged to older males with a history of hypertension
Do aortic dissections usually happen in the presence or absence of aneurysms?
Absence
What complaint is more often reported with Type A dissection?
Chest Pain
What complaint is more often reported with Type B dissection?
Back and abdominal pain
What murmur would you expect to hear on examination that would clue you in this might be an aortic dissection?
New high frequency diastolic blowing murmur of AR
Is hypotension shock more common with Type A or Type B dissection?
Type A
Is HTN more common with Type A or Type B dissection?
Type B
What imaging has the highest sensitivity and specificity for aortic dissection diagnosis?
CT with IV contrast, TEE, MRI =95%
What is the study of choice in a hemodynamically unstable patient?
TEE
What is the treatment of choice in Type A dissections?
Resect ascending aorta and replace with graft
What is the treatment of choice in Type B dissections?
Medical management if possible
Stenting
What condition is characterized as a chronic vasculitis of large and medium-sized vessels?
Giant Cell Arteritis or temporal arteritis
What is the mean age of diagnosis in giant cell arteritis?
Age 72
What is a hallmark indication of giant cell arteritis?
almost never occurs in ppl <50 y.o.
Describe “cord like sensation” when palpating the temporal artery
-Dilated and thickened, allowing it to roll between fingers
What are the presenting symptoms in giant cell arteritis?
- New onset HA
- Abrupt onset of visual disturbances
- Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica
- Unexplained fever or anemia
- Elevated ESR or CRP
What is the most feared complication of giant cell arteritis?
Visual loss