The Cardiac Conduction System Flashcards
How are varicose veins classified?
- Primary: the majority are idiopathic, caused by an underlying primary valve defect
- Secondary: only a minority have an underlying cause:
- -Pelvic mass occluding venous return (pregnancy, fibroids, ovarian tumour, colorectal cancer, testicular tumour)
- -Previous DVT
- -Arteriovenous fistula
- -Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
What is Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome?
A venous abnormality giving rise to large varicose veins, port-wine stains and limb overgrowth.
What are the 2 venous drainage systems of the lower limb?
- Superficial: drains the skin and subcutaneous tissues, formed by the long and short saphenous veins
- Deep: lies within deep fascia and drains muscles
What is thrombophlebitis?
An inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in your legs.
What is saphena varix? What can a saphena varix be mistaken for?
Dilatation of the saphenofemoral junction.
It characteristically disappears on lying down and has a bluish tint.
Can be confused with femoral hernia due to positive cough impulse
What is peripheral vascular disease? What is it caused by?
PVD occurs when there is narrowing of the arteries. It’s almost always caused by atherosclerosis, but may occur secondary to thromboembolism or inflammation.
What is the major cause of death in people with PVD of the legs?
Coronary heart disease.
What are the clinical features for PVD?
- Intermittent claudication
- hair loss on your legs and feet
- numbness or weakness in the legs
- brittle, slow-growing toenails
- ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs, which do not heal
- changing skin colour on your legs, such as turning pale or blue
- shiny skin
- in men, erectile dysfunction
- the muscles in your legs shrinking (wasting)
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Cold-induced spasm of the arterioles, most commonly of the hands but also the feet.
What are the 2 main types of Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Raynaud’s disease: benign condition. Isn’t the result of an underlying medical condition.
Raynaud’s syndrome: associated with underlying disease process. Symptoms often more severe.
What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
A group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers.
What is a cervical rib?
An extra rib that is present above the first rib.
What is the most common cause of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Presence of a cervical rib.
What is Buerger’s disease? What is it also known as?
AKA Thromboangiitis obliterans
A recurring progressive inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of small and medium arteries and veins of the hands and feet.
Who does Buerger’s disease almost always affect?
Young middle aged adults whom smoke heavily.