Peripheral Artery Disease Part 2 Flashcards
What are the essentials of diagnosis of acute arterial occlusion of a limb?
- Sudden pain in limb + absent limb pulses
- Some degree of neurologic dysfunction with numbness, weakness, or complete paralysis
- Loss of light touch sensation requires revascularization within 3 hours to save limb
What is the etiology of an acute arterial occlusion?
Thrombus or embolus
If a thrombus occurs leading to acute occlusion, what happens?
stable atheroma with fibrous plaque ruptures
What is the presentation of a patient with a thrombus leading to acute occlusion?
- Typically history of intermittent claudication
- May not be as dramatic if hx of PAD due to collaterals
Where do most emboli come from? What is the most common cause?
Heart
* Afib
* Atherosclerosis can also cause plaque rupture leading to thrombus that can break off and become an embolus in smaller vessels
What are the 6 P’s of acute occlusion presentation?
- Pallor
- Pain
- Pulseless
- Paralysis
- Polar/poikilothermia (purple spots)
- Paresthesias
How is diagnosis of acute occlusion made?
- Most often clinical
- Doppler with little to no flow in distal vessles
- Acute imaging (CTA or MRA) avoided if light touch sensation compromised
Would not use acute imaging due to delay in therapy unless in preparation for surgery
What other tests can be considered for acute arterial occlusion?
- EKG (see if pt is in afib)
- CBC, PT/INR, PTT (pre-op assessment)
- Echo (later if embolic source suspected)
- BMP, ABG for metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis, AKI
How is acute occlusion managed?
- Immediate revascularization if symptomatic within 3 hours
- Emergent vascular surgery consult for endovascular or open-surgical approach
- Anticoag with IV heparin bolus and continuous infusion
Longer delays carry risk of irreversible tissue damage, up to 100% at 6 hrs
What should you do for a patient with acute arterial occlusion once stable?
Determine source
* If due to PAD thrombus –> treat as other PAD
* Embolus –> determine source and treat underlying cause
* Most require warfarin for 3 + months with INR of 2.0-3.0
What is the prognosis of acute arterial occlusion?
- 10-25% risk of amputation and 25%+ in-hospital mortality rate
What are the essentials of diagnosis of a abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- Most asymptomatic until rupture
- 80% measuring 5 cm are palpable; threshold for treatment is 5.5 cm
- Back or abdominal pain with aneurysmal tenderness may precede rupture
- Rupture causes excruciating abdominal pain that radiates to back and hypotension
What is the etiology of AAA?
- Dilatation of infrarenal aorta is part of aging
- AAA >3 cm (normal aorta = 2 cm)
- MC in men over 55
- Most AAA occur below renal arteries (usually aortic bifurcation and common iliac arteries)
Rarely ruptures under 5 cm
What are risk factors for AAA?
- Male gender
- Family history of AAA
- Smoking history
- Increasing age
What are the 2 major groups of AAA?
- Fusiform: circumferential expansion of aorta
- Saccular: outpouching of a segment of the aorta
What is the presentation of AAA?
- Most asymptomatic found on imaging
- Symptoms: mild to severe pain over mid-abdomen can radiate to lower back
- Constant or intermittent
- Exacerbated by pressure
Most have thrombus lining aneurysm but embolization is rare
What is the presentation of rupture of AAA?
- Severe pain
- Palpable abdominal mass
- Hypotension
- Free rupture into peritoneal cavity is LETHAL :(
How is AAA diagnosed?
- Lab eval only in patients undergoing surgical repair: CBC, BMP, PT/INR, PTT
- ABD US= diagnostic study of choice for initial screening
- CT scans = more reliable assessment of aneurysm diameter
When would a CT scan be done for AAA?
- When aneurysm nears diameter threshold (5.5 cm) for treatment
- For surgical planning: contrast-enhanced CT scans show arteries above and below
What is done once a AAA is identified?
- Routine f/up with ultrasound with frequency depending on size
- CTA with contrast once measures 5 cm
What is the 15th leadinng cause of death in the US?
Ruptured AAA
10th leading cause of death in men older than 55
What are screening recommendations by the USPSTF for AAA?
B recommendation:
* One-time screening ultrasound for men 65-75 who have ever smoked
C recommendation:
* Screening men 65-75 who have never smoked with risk factors and family history
How often would you screen by US a aneurysm that is 3-3.4 cm? 3.5-4.4 cm?
- Every 2 years
- Every 12 months
How often should you screen by US an aneurysm that is 4.5-5.4 cm?
Every 6 months
REFER TO VASCULAR SURGERY
When is elective AAA repair indicated?
- Aneurysms >5.5 cm or with rapid expansion
- Pain or tenderness symptoms