Peripheral Vascular Disease Flashcards
describe intermittent claudication
exertional discomfort in the calves which is relieved by rest due to arterial damage producing an inflammatory response
what are the risk factors for developing intermittent claudication
smoking, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension
what are the signs/symptoms of intermittent claudication
pain/ulcers
hair loss
absent peripheral pulses
dry skin
what are the main investigations for intermittent claudication
ankle brachial pressure index
duplex ultrasound
MRI/CT
how does ABPI work and what value diagnoses intermittent claudication
measures blood pressure ankle and the arm, ratio of the two
pressure of below 0.9 indicates claudication
name the treatment for intermittent claudication
lifestyle advice, antiplatelets, surgery in extreme cases (bypass or angioplasty)
what are the main symptoms of acute lower limb ischaemia
pain, pallor, pulseless, perishingly cold, paraesthesia and loss of hair
an aneurym is defined as what
dilatation of a blood vessel by more than 50% of its original size
what is the difference between a true and false aneurysm
true - involves all walls of the vessel
false - only the outer layers affected
what causes the formation of an aneurysm
decreased collagen in the artery wall, dilatation, stress and further dilatation
symptoms and signs of AAA
usually asymptomatic
possible colicky pain radiating to the back and pulsatile mass
what is the best investigation for diagnosing an AAA
ultrasound - determines whether aneurysm is present or not
also CT for whether its ruptured or dopler US
aneurysms above what size are treated with surgery
> 5cm
what are the symptoms of DVT
hot, red, swollen and painful legs, possible loss of hair
what investigations are carried out for DVT
D-dimer, Dopler US to assess turbulent blood flow, PTP scoring
when is PTP scoring not used in DVT diagnosis
if someone is pregnant or has had previous DVT
what is the main treatment for DVT
anticoagulants
TED compression stockings
what three factors increase risk for diabetic foot sepsis
diabetic neuropathy, PVD and infection
what causes diabetic foot sepsis to arise
increase pressure within the foot, infection gets trapped causing formation of pus and necrosis of foot due to poor blood flow
what are the signs and symptoms of diabetic foot sepsis
erythema, swelling, ulcers and pus, necrosis, absent pulses and foot feels boggy
what is the main treatment for diabetic foot sepsis
urgent vascular surgery - may require amputation
also antibiotics for infection
what are varicose veins
superficial veins that have become enlarged due to increased back pressure due to incompetent valves - blood pools in lower limb veins
what is the difference between primary and secondary varicose veins
secondary varicose veins have arisen due to DVT
what is the treatment for varicose veins
TED compression stockings
foam sclerotherapy - seals vein closed
endovenous ablation - seals vein closed through burning
