Thoracic Angiology

Question 1

Describe a coronary artery bypass graft

Answer 1

Obstruction of the coronary arteries may necessitate replacement of a segment of the coronary artery this process is called a CABG

Question 2

Why is the great saphenous vein often used for CABG?

Answer 2

based on its comparable diameter to the contrary arteries, its ease of dissection from the lower limb and the fact that is offers lengthy portions with no branching or valves
Radial A may also be used

Question 3

What is coronary angioplasty?

Answer 3

Insertion of a small balloon catheter into the lumen of the coronary A
The balloon is inflated to flatten the obstructing plaque against the wall and increase the size of the lumen improving blood flow

Question 4

What forms the right and left pulmonary artery?

Answer 4

The pulmonary trunk

Question 5

Describe the right pulmonary A

Answer 5

Branch of pulmonary trunk from RV of the heart, enters the lungs at the hilum
Thick walled vessel which conveys deoxygenated blood
Forms a superior, middle and inferior lobar A

Question 6

Describe the left pulmonary A

Answer 6

Branch of pulmonary trunk from RV of the heart enters the lung at the hilum
Thick walled vessel which conveys deoxygenated blood
Forms a superior and inferior lobar A

Question 7

What is a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 7

Obstruction of a pulmonary A by an embolus such as blood clot, fat globule or air bubble
The embolus usually passes from a vein through the right side of the heart into the pulmonary arteries

Question 8

Describe the pulmonary veins

Answer 8

Begin as intersemgental veins b/w the bronchopulmonary segments
Travel independently from the pulmonary A and bronchi
Empty into the LA
Form right and left pulmonary V

Question 9

Describe the right and left pulmonary veins

Answer 9

Superior and inferior branches exit the lung at the hilum and enter the LA of the heart
Thin walled vessels which convey oxygenated blood

Question 10

What are the three components of the coronary venous circulation?

Answer 10

Coronary sinus, anterior cardiac V, smallest cardiac vein

Question 11

Describe the coronary sinus

Answer 11

Posterior aspect of the heart
Drains great, middle an small V
Empties into the RA of the heart

Question 12

Describe the great cardiac V

Answer 12

Originates in the anterior aspect of the heart b/w the RV and LV
Travels with anterior interventricular A then travels around the heart traveling with circumflex A to empty into the coronary sinus

Question 13

Describe the middle cardiac V

Answer 13

Travels along the posterior aspect of the heart b/w the RV and LV
Travels with the posterior interventricular A

Question 14

Describe the small cardiac V

Answer 14

Travels along the inferior border of the heart

Travels with the R marginal A

Question 15

Describe the anterior cardiac V

Answer 15

Anterior surface of the heart
Crosses over the right atrioventricular groove
Empties directly into the RA of the heart

Question 16

Describe the smallest cardiac V

Answer 16

Extremely small vessels possessing no valves

Exist in the myocardium and communicate directly with the internal chambers of the heart

Question 17

Describe the superior vena cava

Answer 17

Union of the right and left brachiocephalic V and azygos vein
Drains from superiorly into RA of the heart

Question 18

Describe the azygos vein

Answer 18

Drains posterior intercostal V from the right side of the posterior thoracic wall and travels superiorly until crossing over the vertebral bodies to meet with the superior vena cava

Question 19

Describe the hemiazygos vein

Answer 19

Drains posterior intercostal from the left side of the lower posterior thoracic wall
Communicates with the azygos V via a communicating branch that divides the hemiazygos V from the accessory hemiazygos V

Question 20

Which vein travels with he posterior intercostal A in the costal groove?

Answer 20

Right and left posterior intercostal veins

Question 21

Describe the accessory hemiazygos vein

Answer 21

Drains posterior intercostal V from the left side of the upper posterior thoracic wall
Communicates with the azygos V via communicating branch that divides the hemiazygos V from the accessory hemiazygos V

Question 22

Describe the inferior vena cava

Answer 22

Union of right and left common iliac V
Travels through the abdomen through the vena caval foramen of the thoracic diaphragm then drains from inferiorly into the RA

Question 23

Look at lymphatics

Answer 23

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