Peripheral vascular disease and vein malformations Flashcards
What is the definition of occlusive in the context of peripheral vascular disease?
Blockage or closing of an opening, such as in intermittent claudication.
What is intermittent claudication?
Muscle pain in the legs during activity that stops with rest, due to lack of oxygen to muscles.
What condition is associated with occlusion of peripheral arteries caused by atherosclerosis?
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
What should be offered to all patients with intermittent claudication?
A supervised exercise programme.
What medication can be considered if supervised exercise does not lead to satisfactory improvement in intermittent claudication?
Naftidrofuryl oxalate.
What are the licensed treatments for intermittent claudication?
- Cilostazol
- Pentoxifylline
What is the management for Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Avoidance of exposure to cold and smoking cessation.
What is a potential treatment if lifestyle modifications fail for Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Nifedipine as prophylaxis.
What condition is characterized by widened venules causing threadlike red lines on the skin?
Spider veins (telangiectasia).
What are reticular veins?
Dilated veins close to the surface of the skin, larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins.
What is the primary cause of varicose veins?
Incompetent valves in the affected vein causing reflux of blood.
What are some risk factors for developing varicose veins?
- Increasing age
- Family history
- Female sex
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
What symptoms can varicose veins cause?
- Pain
- Aching
- Discomfort
- Swelling
- Heaviness
- Itching
What complications can arise from varicose veins?
- Bleeding
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Superficial vein thrombosis
- DVT
- Venous ulceration
What should be done if varicose veins are bleeding?
First aid should be offered and admission arranged to a vascular service.
What management strategies are recommended for non-bleeding varicose veins?
- Self-care advice
- Referral to a vascular service
- Compression stockings
What is Aethoxysklerol used for?
A sclerosing agent for local injection to treat varicose veins.
What is the active ingredient in Fibrovein?
Sodium tetradecyl sulfate.
What is the purpose of sodium tetradecyl sulfate in treating vein conditions?
Causes the lining of the vein walls to swell and stick together, stopping blood flow.
True or False: Varicose veins in pregnant women are likely to improve after pregnancy.
True
What is the typical diameter range for reticular veins?
1 to 3mm.
What are two medications licensed for the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon?
- Naftidrofuryl oxalate
- Prazosin
What is the treatment for severe chronic lower limb ischaemia where surgery is unsuitable?
Intravenous iloprost.
