Peripheral Vascular System Flashcards
Arteries
Carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the capillaries
pulmonary artery carries oxygen depleted blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
Atrial Network
is a high pressure system
arteries have no valves so blood is propelled under pressure from the left ventricle of the heart
thick and strong due to high pressure and are elastic/stretchy
Grading Pulses
3+=increased or bounding
2+=Normal
1+=Weak
0=Absent
Veins
Carry deoxygenated, nutrient depleted blood from the tissues to the heart
Veins contain nearly 70% of the blood volume
low pressure system so have thin walls
veins have larger diameter than arteries
are able to explain if blood volume increases thereby, decreasing workload on the heart
Pulmonary vein
carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium
Arterial insufficiency
cold, pale, clammy skin on the extremities and thin, shinny skin with loss of hair, especially over the legs
Venous insufficiency
warm skin, edema and brown pigmentation around the ankles
Peripheral arterial disease
develops over a lifetime
Intermittent claudication
one of the first symptoms before some of the physical changes
characterized by weakness, cramping aching, fatigue or pain with activity located in the calves, thigh or buttocks but barely in the feet
symptoms are relieved by rest but reproducible when activity resumes
Peripheral venous disease
not as common as PAD, often they occur together
associated with delayed wound healing
symptoms include heaviness in the legs
aching sensation in legs aggravated by standing or sitting for long periods of time, leg edema or varioscites
Varicose Veins
Are hereditary but may develop from increased venous pressure and venous pooling
standing in one place for long periods of time increases risk for variosities
ulcers
associated with arterial disease are usually painful and are often located on the toes, foot, or lateral ankle
venous ulcers
are usually painless and occur on the lower leg of medial ankle
Peripheral edema
results from obstruction of the lymphatic flow or from venous insufficiency
prominent venous pattern with edema indicates venous obstruction
edema can also occur with deep vein thrombosis (clots)
ED
central arterial or venous disease may be manifested early as erectile dysfunction
may occur due to decreased blood flow or an occlusion in a blood vessel
Lymphedema
results from blocked lymphatic circulation often from breast surgery
usually affects one extremity causing induration and non pitting edema
no change in pigment
Raynaud disorder
a vascular disorder caused by vasoconstriction or vasospasm of the fingers and toes
characterized by rapid changes of color (pallor, cyanosis and redness) swelling, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, throbbing and coldness
disorder is usually bilaterally
lasts minutes to hours and affects about 5% of the population
Raynoud Phenomenon
First color: white (pallor)
second color: blue (cyanosis)
third color: red (rubor)
First color: white
(pallor)
cause: arteriospasm which results in a supple deficit
patient may have cold, numbness, or pain
Second: blue
(cyanosis)
cause: a slight relaxation of the anteriospasm that allows a slow trickle of blood through the capillaries and increased oxygen extraction of hemoglobin
patient may have cold, numbness or pain
Third: red
(rubor)
cause: blood return to the dilated capillary bed
Patient will experience burning, throbbing pain, swelling
Cool extremities
A cool extremity may be a sign of arterial insufficiency
cold hands are normal finding in Raynaud
Capillary refill
indicates peripheral perfusion and reflects cardiac output
Abnormal finding would be a capillary refill of over 2 seconds
indicates: vasoconstriction, decreased cardiac output, shock, arterial occlusion or hypothermia
Allen test
make patient hold a fist and use both hands to hold the radial and ulnar arteries
have the patient open their hand because of the lack of blood supply it will appear blanched
release the pressure over the ulnar after and watch the palm fill up with blood again within 3 to 5 seconds