Surgery - Vascular Flashcards
What is an aortic dissection?
Tear in the tunica intima
What is the biggest RF for aortic dissection?
HTN
Recall 2 ways in which aortic dissection can be classified and what these entail
Stanford classification
Type A: ASCENDING aorta
Type B: DESCENDING aorta
De Bakey classification
Type 1 originates in ASCENDING aorta, EXTENDs to arch + possibly beyond
Type 2: confined to ASCENDING aorta
Type 3: originates in DESCENDING aorta
How should aortic dissection be managed?
Aortic root replacement surgery
Bed rest
Beta blockers
What are the main symptoms of aortic dissection?
Tearing chest pain, radiates to back
20mmHg BP difference between arms
Possible Horner’s
How should aortic dissection be imaged?
Stable: CT CAP
Unstable: TOE/ TTE (transoesophageal echo/ transthoracic echo)
In which type of aortic dissection is surgery not indicated?
Descending
What are the 3 subtypes of peripheral artery disease?
- Intermittent claudication
- Critical limb ischaemia
- Acute limb-threatening ischaemia
Give 4 features of intermittent claudication
Aching/ burning in leg muscles following walking
Typically can walk for predictable distance before Sx start
Usually relieved within mins of stopping
No rest pain
How should a patient with intermittent claudication be assessed?
Check femoral, popliteal, posterior tibialis + dorsalis pedis pulses
Check ABPI
1st line Ix: Duplex USS
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) should be performed prior to any intervention
What is the usual clinical correlation of each score on ABPI?
1: Normal
0.6-0.9: Claudication
0.3-0.5: Rest pain
<0.3: Impending
How can you differentiate between critical and acute limb-threatening limb ischaemia clinically?
Onset
CLI = >2w
ALI = <2w
Colour:
CLI = pink
ALI = marble white
Temp:
CLI: warm
ALI: cold
What are the 6 Ps of acute limb ischaemia?
Pain
Perishingly cold
Pallor
Pulseless
Paralysis
Paraesthesia
What is the expected ankle arterial pressure in critical limb ischaemia?
<40mmHg
What are the causes of limb ischaemia?
TRIED to walk:
Thromboangiitis obliterans
Raynaud’s
Injury
Embolism/ thrombosis
Diabetes
How should ischaemic limb be investigated?
1st: ABPI
2nd: duplex USS
3rd: MRA/CTA
Describe interpretation of ABPI
> 1.2: calcified, stiff arteries. Seen in advanced age, DM or PAD
1.0-1.2: normal
0.9-1.0: acceptable
<0.9: likely PAD
<0.5: severe disease, refer urgently
At what ABPI would you refer to vascular surgeons?
<0.8 or >1.3
How should asymptomatic limb ischaemia/ intemittent claudication be managed?
Conservative: (WL, quit smoking)
Medical: statin + anti-platelet (Atorvastatin 80mg + Clopidogrel 75mg)
Rarely used: naftidrofuryl oxalate (vasodilator)
What is peripheral arterial disease strongly linked to?
Smoking
All should be given help to quit
List 3 co-morbidities that are important to treat in PAD
HTN
DM
Obesity
What is the first line intervention recommended for PAD?
Exercise training (supervised)
How is severe PAD or critical limb ischaemia managed?
Endovascular revascularisation
* percutaneous transluminal angioplasty +/- stent
* endovascular techniques
Surgical revascularisation
* surgical** bypass **with autologous vein or prosthetic material
* endarterectomy
* open surgery
What is angioplasty?
Minimally invasive procedure to widen narrowed/ obstructed arteries
Improves blood flow + alleviates Sx of intermittent claudication
When are endovascular revascularisation techniques used in PAD?
Short segment stenosis <10cm
Aortic iliac disease
High risk patients
When are open surgical techniques used for revacularisation in PAD?
Long segment lesions >10cm
Multifocal lesions
Lesions of common femoral artery
Purely infrapopliteal disease
What treatment is reserved for patients with critical limb ischaemia who are unsuitable for angioplasty or bypass surgery?
Amputation
Which drugs are licensed for use in PAD?
Naftidrofuryl oxalate: vasodiltor, used if poor QoL
Cilostazol: phosphodiesterase III inhibitor with antiplatelet + vasodilator effects (not recommended by NICE)
What are the indications for amputation in critical limb ischaemia?
Dead (eg severe PAD/ thromboangiitis obliterans)
Dangerous (sepsis, NF)
Damaged (trauma, burns, frostbite)
Darned nuisance (pain, neurological damage)
What is thromboangiitis obliterans also known as?
Buerger’s disease
What is thromboangiitis obliterans?
Smoking-related condition that results in thrombosis in small + medium-sized arteries, + less commonly veins
Ends of digits look all necrotic + nasty
Recall 2 classification systems used to classify limb ischaemia
Fontaine
Rutherford
What are the 3 stages of venous insufficiency?
- Phlegmasia alba dolens (white leg)
- Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (blue/ red leg)
- Gangrene (secondary to acute ischaemia)
How can venous insufficiency be managed?
Conservative: compression bandages (ABPI >0.8 required)
Surgical: grafts
What are varicose veins?
Dilated, tortuous, superficial veins
Most commonly in
legs.
Often visible + palpable,
Are an indication of superficial lower extremity venous insufficiency.
What causes varicose veins?
Valve incompetency in affected vein: results in reflux of blood + increased pressure in vein distally
+/- Weakness/ degeneration of vein wall
List 7 risk factors for varicose veins
Age
FH
Female
Obesity
Prolonged standing/ sitting
Hx DVT
Pregnancy
Why is pregnancy a risk factor for varicose veins?
Uterus causes compression of pelvic veins
How do deep veins differ to superficial veins subjected to increased pressure?
Deep: thick walls, confined by fascia
Superficial: unable to withstand pressure- become dilated + tortuous
What % of varicose veins are primary?
95%
List 5 signs/ symptoms of varicose veins
Pain/ ache
Itch
Swelling
Discomfort after prolonged standing + relief with elevation
Restless legs + nocturnal leg cramps
List 4 skin changes that may arise as a complication of varicose veins
Varicose eczema (aka venous stasis)
Haemosiderin deposition → hyperpigmentation
Lipodermatosclerosis → hard/ tight skin
Atrophie blanche → hypopigmentation
List 5 complications of varicose veins
Skin changes
Bleeding
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Venous ulceration
DVT
How should varicose veins be investigated clinically?
Cough impulse (should be -ve in varicose pathology)
Tap test: tap proximally + feel for an impulse distally
Tourniquet test
What is the investigations for varicose veins?
Venous duplex US: demonstrates retrograde venous flow
How is the tourniquet test for varicose veins performed?
Patient supine, elevate legs, milk veins
Apply tourniquet high to compress saphenofemoral junction
Stand patient
Repeat distally until controlled filling
Controlled filling = distal veins do not fill
Uncontrolled filling = distal veins full- meaning there is an incompetent valve below the tourniquet
How can varicose veins be managed?
Conservative: WL, avoid prologed standing, compression stockings, emollients
Medical: foam sclerotherapy, endothermal ablation
Surgical: ligation + stripping
What is the MOA of endothermal ablation in VV?
Energy from high frequency radiowaves or endovenous lasers to seal off affected veins
What is the MOA of foam sclerotherapy in VV?
Injection of irritant foam into vein
Results in an inflammatory response that causes closure of the vein.
Give 5 indications to refer to secondary care for varicose veins
Significant/ troublesome LL Sx: pain, discomfort, swelling
Previous bleeding from VV
Skin changes secondary to chronic venous insufficiency: pigmentation + eczema
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Active or healed venous leg ulcer
What investigations should be done in suspected DVT?
First do a Well’s score
If >,2 –> USS leg
If 0 or 1 –> D-dimer within 4h –> USS if +ve, other dx if -ve
If DVT is confirmed + unprovoked do a CT AP to identify possible malignancy
How should DVT be managed?
DOAC (if renal impairment –> LMWH + warfarin)
Recall the components of the Wells score
Mnemonic: DVT SCORES
DVT previous [+1]
Veins - superficial collateral [+1]
Three cm difference in calf diameter [+1]
Static (paralysis/ paresis/ plaster immobilisation) [+1]
Cancer (active within 6 months) [+1]
Oedema (pitting, confined to symptomatic leg) [+1]
Recently bedridden for 3 days [+1]
Entire leg swollen [+1]
Something else equally likely [-2]
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
Thrombus formation in superficial vein + inflammation in surrounding tissue
What is the association to DVT in superficial thrombophlebitis?
~20% have underlying DVT at presentation
3-4% progress to DVT if untreated
Risk linked to length of vein affected (>5cm, more likely a/w DVT)
What sites of thrombophelbitis have increased risk of DVT?
Where affected superficial vein joins deep veonus system e.g. long saphenous vein (superficial) with the femoral veins (deep)
What is the most common site of superficial thrombophlebitis?
Saphenous vein
What are the symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis?
Palpable/ nodular cord
Inflammation
Varicose veins
How should superficial thrombophlebitis be investigated?
Doppler USS
How should superficial thrombophlebitis be managed?
Compression stockings + NSAIDs PO
If SVT >5cm long/<5cm from SFJ): + Fondaparinux (LMWH)
If anticoagulation CI: saphenofemoral ligation
If recurrent with extensive VV: VV surgery + prophylactic LMWH