Vascular Flashcards
Define TIA
Acute loss of focal cerebral function with symptoms lasting for less than 24 hours
No apparent cause other than vascular origin
What % of strokes are caused by ischaemia?
80%
What are the potential pathologies of the carotid artery?
Carotid thromboembolism
Small vessel disease
Cardiac embolism
Haematological
What are the features of a stroke of carotid origin?
Hemisensory or hemimotor deficit
Monolateral blindness
Higher cortical dysfunction e.g. Expressive dysphasia, visuospatial neglect
What are the features of a vertebrobasilar stroke?
Hemisensory or hemimotor deficit Bilateral motor/sensory Bilateral blindness Dysarthria Veering to one side Ataxia/unsteadiness Homonymous hemianopia
What features indicate that the patient has not had a TIA?
Isolated diplopia
Isolated vertigo
Isolated dizziness
(pre)syncope
What grade of carotid stenosis requires surgical intervention?
High-grade: over 70%
What are the aspects of optimal medical management for carotid artery disease?
Anti platelet Blood pressure Statin therapy Diabetic management Angina Lifestyle advice
Describe carotid endarterectomy
Carotid artery cut at its bifurcation
Temporary shunt inserted to avoid the surgical site
Plaque removed
Artery sutured
What nerves may be damaged during carotid endarterectomy?
Vagus CNX
Hypoglossal CNXII
Ansa (part of cervical plexus)
What are the potential risks of carotid endarterectomy?
Stroke (3%)
Nerve damage - especially hypoglossal (3%)
When is surgery used for asymptomatic carotid disease?
70-99% stenosis
Otherwise fit males
What are the potential benefits of carotid angioplasty rather than endarterectomy?
Less invasive
No neck incision
No risk of cranial nerve injury
Define aneurysm
A permanent localised dilatation of an artery
More than 50% of the normal diameter of the artery
Define ectasia
Localised area of enlargement in the artery but less than 1.5x
What is a true aneurysm?
All 3 layers of the arterial wall involved
What is a false aneurysm?
Leakage of blood out of an artery into a cavity surrounded by connective tissue, that is expansile and Pulsatile
Where is the most common site for an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Infra-renal AA
What is the normal diameter of the male abdominal aorta?
1.5 - 2 cm
Define an infra-renal AAA
Diameter > 3 cm
What % of elderly males have an AAA?
5%
At what rate do AAAs commonly expand?
10% per year
What factors influence rupture of AAAs?
Blood pressure
Smoking
What is the most common presentation of an AAA?
Majority are asymptomatic
How does a ruptured AAA present?
Triad:
Abdominal pain (epigastric radiating to back, sudden onset)
Pulsatile mass
Hypovolaemic shock - leading to collapse
What are the indications for repair of am AAA?
Symptomatic, rapidly expanding, or ruptured
Asymptomatic > 5.5 cm
What is the mortality from ruptured AAAs?
Overall 75%
50% make it to hospital, and 50% of these die
What are the complications of open repair of an AAA?
Haemorrhage Cardiac events Respiratory complications Renal failure Embolism/thrombosis of distal arterial tree Colonic ischaemia Death
What are the complications of endovascular repair of an AAA?
Graft migration
Fracture of supporting wires
Endoleak
Endotension
Define stroke
Acute loss of focal cerebral function, with symptoms lasting longer than 24 hours
No apparent cause other than a vascular origin
How can popliteal aneurysms present?
Asymptomatic Claudication Embolisation Occlusion Rupture
How do you examine for a popliteal aneurysm?
Get patient to relax leg and bend to 45degrees
How do you treat popliteal aneurysms?
Hunterian ligation of popliteal aneurysm and bypass surgery
Endovascular stenting
What is the normal range for ABPI?
0.9 - 1.3
What is the underlying pathology of intermittent claudication?
Atheroma
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for PVD?
Age
Male gender
Family history
What are the modifiable risk factors for PVD?
Smoking Hypertension High LDLs High cholesterol Sedentary lifestyle Diabetes mellitus
What is intermittent claudication?
Pain in the muscles of the lower limb elicited by walking/exercise
What are the characteristics of intermittent claudication pain?
Always in the muscles, most commonly calf but sometimes thigh or buttock
Cramp-like pain
Always relieved by rest
Worse going uphill
What causes pain in PVD?
Muscle O2 requirement/availability mismatch
Leads to muscle ischaemia
Muscles have to metabolise anaerobically, producing lactate and substance P - cause pain