PVD Flashcards
Three layers in blood vessels:
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa
- forms a friction-reducing lining
- Endothelium
Tunica intima
- Smooth muscle and elastic tissue
- Controlled by sympathetic nervous system
Tunica media
- forms protective outermost covering
- Mostly fibrous connective tissue
- Supports and protects the vessel
Tunica externa
have a heavier, stronger, stretchier tunica media than to withstand changes in pressure
Arteries
- have a thinner tunica media and operate under low pressure
- also have valves to prevent backflow of blood
- Lumen is larger
- Skeletal muscle “milks” blood here toward the heart
Veins
- Only one cell layer thick
- Allow for exchanges between blood and tissue
Capillaries
Form networks that consist of:
- A vascular shunt
- True capillaries
capillary beds
Blood flow through a capillary bed is known as
microcirculation
A permanent localized
dilation of an artery,
which enlarges the artery
to at least 2 times its
normal diameter
ANEURYSM
diffuse dilation affecting the entire circumference of the artery
Fusiform
an outpouching affecting
only a distinct portion of the artery
Saccular
what specific anatomic sites
is aneurysm most common?
abdominal aorta.
Aneurysm forms when
the ____ of the artery is
weakened, producing a
stretching effect in the
inner layer (T. intima) and
outer layers (T. adventitia)
of the artery
middle layer (T.
media)
most common cause of all
aneurysm with hypertension & cigarette smoking
being contributing factors
Atherosclerosis
signs of rupturing AAA
- hypotension
- diaphoresis
- mental obtundation,
- oliguria
- dysrhythmias
- S/S of hypovolemic shock
DIAGNOSTI
reveals “eggshell” appearance in cases of AAA
X-ray
Standard tool that determines the size and location or aneurysm
CT scan
Nonsurgical management of aneurysm:
- frequent CT scanning
- maintenance of BP
- treated with
anti-hypertensive agent
surgical management of aneurysm:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Resection
Goal: to secure a
stable aortic integrity & tissue
perfusion throughout the
body
excision of aneurysm from the abdominal aorta to prevent or repair the rupture
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Resection
Disorders that alter the natural flow of blood
through the arteries & veins of the peripheral
circulation
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
most frequently affected are the lower
extremities
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
AORTIC BRANCHES:
- Ascending Aorta
- Aortic Arch
- Thoracic Arch
- Abdominal Aorta
noninvasive technique that provides accurate diagnosis, as well as information about the size & location of AAA
Ultrasonography
Pain: Intermittent claudication
Arterial insufficiency
Pain: aching, cramping
Venous insufficiency
Pulse: diminished or absent
Arterial insufficiency
Pulse: present, assessment may be difficult due to edema
Venous insufficiency
Skin: dependent rubor
Arterial insufficiency
Skin: increased pigmentation in the gaiter area
Venous insufficiency
Location: tip of toes, heels (pressure areas)
Arterial insufficiency
Location: medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, anterior tibial areas
Venous insufficiency
Depth: deep, may affect the joint
Arterial insufficiency
depth: superficial
Venous insufficiency
Shape: circular
Arterial insufficiency
Shape irregular
Venous insufficiency
Ulcer base: pale to black, dry gangrene
Arterial insufficiency
Ulcer base: granulation tissue
Venous insufficiency
Leg edema: minimal
Arterial insufficiency
Leg edema: moderate to severe
Venous insufficiency
Thickening or hardening of
the arterial wall
Arteriosclerosis
A type of arteriosclerosis that involves
the formation of plaque within the arterial wall
Atherosclerosis
involves the distal end of the aorta & the common, internal, external iliac arteries (located above the inguinal ligament)
INFLOW OBSTRUCTION
involves femoral, popliteal & tibial arteries (below the superficial femoral artery)
OUTFLOW OBSTRUCTION
- Most common cause
- Risk factor includes hypertension, hyperlipedimia, DM, CIGARETTE SMOKING, obesity & familial predisposition
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
discomfort in the lower back, buttocks or thighs
Inflow disease
burning or cramping in the calves, ankles, feet & toes
Outflow disease
- Intermittent claudication
- Rest Pain
- Loss of hair on the lower calf, ankle & foot;
- dry, scaly, dusky, pale or mottled skin
- thickened toenails
- Cold extremity & cyanotic
- pallor occurs when
the extremity is elevated - Diminished or absent distant peripheral pulses
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT:
- Arteriography
- Segmental Systolic BP measurements
- Ankle-Brachial Index (<0.9)
- Exercise Tolerance Testing
medications to PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE:
Pentoxifylline (Trental)
Aspirin
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS:
- Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)
- Laser-Assisted Angioplasty
- Bypass procedures
- Reserved for clients with smaller occlusions in the distal superficial femoral, proximal popliteal & common iliac arteries
- Heat from the laser vaporizes the arteriosclerotic plaque to open the occluded or stenosed artery
Laser-Assisted Angioplasty
- grafts preferred are saphenous vein, cephalic or basilic arm veins, synthetic materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene, GoreTex & Dacron
Bypass procedures;
recurring inflammation of the intermediate and small arteries and veins of the lower and upper extremities
BUERGER’S DISEASE
(THROMBOANGIITIS
OBLITERANS)
- Pain
- Instep claudication
- Aggravated by emotional
disturbances, nicotine or chilling - Sensitivity to cold
- Dependent rubor
- Absent or diminished radial or ulnar pulses
- Digital ulceration and gangrene
BUERGER’S DISEASE
NURSING INTERVENTIONS IN BUERGER’S DISEASE:
- Complete abstinence from tobacco
- Avoid to extreme cold
Caused by vasospasm of the arterioles and arteries of the upper & lower extremities
RAYNAUD’S DISEASE
- blanching of the extremities occurs followed by cyanosis
- Numbness, coldness, pain. swelling
- ulcers may also be present
RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON
management in raynauld’s disease:
● Calcium Channel Blockers – potent vasodilator
● Nifedipine – first choice
● Sympathectomy
first choice medication for raynaulds disease
Nifedipine
- Calf or groin
tenderness & pain - unilateral swelling
of the leg - Localized edema in
one extremity may
suggest
thrombophlebitis
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
DO NOT MASSAGE THE AFFECTED
EXTREMITY!!!
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
management for DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS:
Rest – supportive therapy; bed rest & elevation of
the extremity
Drug therapy for deep vein thrombosis:
anticoagulant
- prevent formation of other clots & prevent enlargement of the existing clot.
- discontinued if there is severe
- heparin-induced thrombocytopenia & thrombosis (due to platelet aggregation)
- SE: Bleeding
UNFRACTIONATED HEPARIN Therapy
- Works in the liver to inhibit synthesis of the four vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
- Takes 3-4 days before it can exert therapeutic anticoagulation
WARFARIN Therapy
- recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, Alteplase, Reteplase
- effective in dissolving clots or preventing new clots
- serious complication: intracerebral bleeding
THROMBOLYTIC Therapy
Antidote for heparin
Protamine sulfate
Dilated tortuous veins
VARICOSE VEINS
COMMON AFFECTED SITES in varicose veins:
saphenous leg veins (lack support from
surrounding muscles)
● also occurs in
- Rectum : Hemorrhoids
- Esophagus : Esophageal varices
ASSESSMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS:
- Legs feel heavy & tired
- Leg veins look distended & tortuous seen under the skin as dark blue or purple,
snakelike elevations - Feet, ankles, legs may appear swollen
VARICOSE VEINS STAGES:
- Reticular or spider veins
- Varicose veins or venous nodes
- Edema of the lower legs
- Varicose eczema or trophic ulcer
MILD VARICOSE VEINS
MANAGEMENT:
- exercise (walking, swimming)
- losing weight
- wearing elastic support stockings
- avoidance of prolonged sitting & standing
SEVERE VARICOSE VEINS
MANAGEMENT:
- Vein ligation
- Vein stripping
- Sclerotherapy
veins are tied off above & below the area of incompetent valves,
but the dysfunctional vein remains
Vein ligation
ligated veins are severed & removed
Vein stripping
Injection of chemical in the varicose veins to scar and close it
Sclerotherapy