Thoracic Aortic Disease Flashcards
What are the different locations or classes of thoracic aneurysm?
Ascending Aorta
Aortic Arch
Descending Aorta
(After that your into Abdominal Aorta)
What are the types of aneurysm?
True & False
True aneurysms are split into saccular & fusiform
What is a true aneurysm?
Where all 3 layers of aortic wall are dilated.
One side = Saccular
All around = Fusiform
What is a false aneurysm?
Some or all of the wall layers rupture.
The haematoma is contained by the intact adventitia or surrounding soft tissue
What causes an aneurysm?
True:
- Atherosclerosis
- Connective Tissue Diseases (e.g. Marfan’s)
- Trauma
- Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Infections e.g. Syphilis
False:
- Inflammatory Conditions (E.g. Takayasu’s Arteritis)
- Trauma
- Iatrogenic
Risk factors for an aneurysm?
Age Smoking Marfan's etc. Family History Hypercholesterolaemia Hypertension
What are the symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
They vary with location and aer often asymptomatic but overall:
- SOB
- HF (if causing AR)
- Dysphagia/Hoarseness (If chronic asc. aortic aneurysm)
- Sharp Chest Pain radiating to Central upper back (spreads if dissection)
- Regional Hypotension
What are the clinical signs of a FALSE aneurysm?
Thrill - Bruit - Pulsatile MAss
What are the possible outcomes/complications of an aneurysm?
Rupture.
Ischaemia/Infarction
Distal Emboli causing their own infarctions
What is Takayasu’s Arteritis?
Granulomatous Vasculitis affecting the aorta & its main branches
What are the conditions caused by takayasu’s Arteritis?
Stenosis Thrombosis Aneurysms Renal Artery Stenosis Neurological Symptoms
Which gender is more affected by takayasu’s arteritis?
Women
How do we treat Takayasu’s Arteritis?
Steroids
Surgery
What is syphilis caused by?
The Treponema Pallidum Bacteria, its an STD
How does Syphilis become a cardiac problem?
without treatment it can develop to a tertiary stage in one of 3 forms:
Cardiac - Gummatous - Late-Neuro Syphilis
Cardiac Syphilis can cause AR and/or syphilitic Aortitis leading to aneurysm.