Norton Vascular Diseases Flashcards
What are the components of the adventitia?
- CT
- Nerves
- Vasa Vasorum
Which arteries have media rich in elastic fibers that expand in systole and recoil in diastole?
Aorta and Large Branches (Elastic Arteries)
Which arteries have media rich in smooth muscle cells?
Muscular arteries (branches off of aorta- coronary arteries, renal arteries)
What is the main contribution to resistance to blood pressure?
Arterioles
Which layer(s) of vasculature are present in capillaries?
Intima only
What is the function of lymphatics?
To reduce edema
What factors can loosen the endothelial tight junctions?
- Hypertension
2. Vasoactive Agents (Histamine)
What is endothelial cell activation and what are the results?
- Expression of inducible properties of the endothelium in response to a specific factor:
1. Exp of Adhesion Molecules
2. Production of Cytokines and Chemokines, Vasoactive Molecules and Pro/Anticoagulants
What is endothelial dysfunction?
A potentially reversible response that results in the alteration of gene expression and protein synthesis leading to an impairment of vasoreactivity
What are potential results of endothelial dysfunction?
- Thrombus Formation
- Initiation of atherosclerosis
- Vascular effects
Describe the vasculature’s response to injury
Intimal Thickening: Endothelial cells migrate into the intima from adjacent uninjured areas or from circulating precursors. SMCs also migrate in, proliferate and synthesize new ECM
What is the potential risk to intimal thickening?
Stenosis or occlusion of small and medium sized vessels
What is arteriolosclerosis?
Injury to small arteries and arterioles; especially renal
What are the mechanisms and causes of arteriolosclerosis?
- Hyaline Arteriolosclerosis (HTN and diabetes)
2. Hyperplastic Arteriolosclerosis (Malignant HTN –> onionskin thickening)
What is Monckeberg Arteriosclerosis?
Calcifications in the media of muscular arteries (ulnar and radial)
Where is atherosclerosis typically seen?
Elastic and Muscular Arteries
What are the risk factors for Atherosclerosis? (10)
- Age
- Gender
- Genetics
- Hyperlipidemia
- HTN
- Cigarette Smoking
- Diabetes
- Inflammation
- Hyperhomocystinemia
- Metabolic Syndrome
What lifestyle behaviors can decrease LDL levels?
Exercise and moderate Alcohol consumption
Describe the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis (7 Steps)
- Endothelial Injury (from HTN or Hypercholesterolemia) that causes increased permeability, leukocytee adhesion and Thrombosis
- Lipoproteins (LDL) move into vessel wall
- Monocytes stick to damaged endothelium, migrate into sub endothelium and transform to macrophages and foam cells
- Platelets stick to damaged endothelium
- Factors (platelets, macrophages and endothelium) stimulate SMC recruitment
- SMCs proliferate and lay down new ECM
- Lipid accumulates extracellularly and in cells
What is the first morphological finding of atherosclerosis?
Fatty Streak (or dots)
Where are fatty streaks often found?
The ostia of branch vessels
Which arteries are most susceptible to atherosclerosis?
- Abdominal Aorta
- Coronary Arteries
- Popliteal Arteries
- Internal Carotid Arteries
- Vessels of the Circle of Willis
What is seen in atherosclerotic plaques?
- SMC
- Macrophages/ Foam Cells
- T Cells
- ECM
- Lipids
What makes up the necrotic center (lipid core) of plaques?
- Cell debris
- Cholesterol Crystals
- Foam Cells
- Calcium
What makes up the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques?
- SMC
2. Collagen
How can atherosclerosis cause an aneurysm?
Plaque weakens the underlying vessel wall
What are the primary effects of atherosclerosis?
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Ischemic Bowel
- Peripheral Vascular Occlusive Disease
- Renal Artery Ischemia
- Aneurysm
What is critical stenosis?
When the occlusion limits flow to the point the oxygen demand exceeds supply
What are the three acute plaque changes?
- Rupture/Fisuring –> exposure of thrombogenic constituents
- Erosion/Ulceration –> exposure of thrombogenic basement membrane
- Hemorrhage into the plaque –> increase in size
What characterizes a vulnerable plaque?
- Thinner fibrous cap
2. Larger liid core
What is a false aneurysm?
An extravasation hematoma (that is pulsating); caused by a defect in vascular wall
**True Aneurysms are thinning of the vascular wall and do not result in blood outside of the circulatory system
What is the main cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Atherosclerosis
What is the main cause of an ascending aortic aneurysm?
HTN
What conditions may result in weak CT in the vascular wall and lead to aneurysms?
- Marfan Syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Vitamin C Deficiency
Describe the two processes which have been associated with the pathogenesis of aneurysm formation
- Inflammation and MMPs change the balance of collagen degradation/synthesis
- Cystic Medial Degeneration- Caused by ischemia to the vessel wall (inner media from atherosclerosis; outer media from thinning of vasa vasorum due to HTN)
What are the results of Cystic Medial Degeneration?
- Loss of SMCs
- Scarring and loss of elasticity
- Inadequate ECM synthesis
In addition to atherosclerosis, what are other risk factors in developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- Age > 50
- Men
- Smokers
Where will most abdominal aortic aneurysms be located?
Below the renal arteries and above the bifurcation
Describe the morphology of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
The intima will show severe atherosclerosis with destruction of the underlying aortic media
Mural thrombus and atheromatous ulcers may be seen in what condition?
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
In addition to hemorrhage, what clinical consequences may occur from an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- Obstruction of branch vessels –> ischemia
2. Embolism from atherosclerotic plaque (atheroma) or mural thrombus
What condition presents with a palpating abdominal mass?
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm