Vascular Flashcards
Define Peripheral Vascular Disease
Significant narrowing of the arteries distal to the Aortic Arch, usually caused by atherosclerosis
Questionnaire used for PVD diagnosis
Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire
What is the most severe form of PVD?
Critical Limb Ischaemia
PVD Presentation
Pale, Pulseless, Pallor, Paraesthesia, Paralysis Poikilothermia
PVD Investigations
Doppler, ABPI, ECG, Lipids, Glucose (DM), Thrombophilia screen
PVD Treatment
Lifestyle modification - stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise.
Control DM, reduce lipids (statins), vasodilators
Surgical - Angioplasty, Bypass or Amputation
Define Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Dilation of AA due to increased proteolysis, degredation of lamellae and smooth muscle loss
AAA Risk Factors
Smoking, HTN, atherosclerosis, COPD, Male, FH
AAA Presentation (Unruptured + Ruptured)
Unruptured : Range in severity and type of symptoms; Back, loin or groin pain, limb ischaemia caused by embolus, pulsatile abdo swelling
Ruptured: Sudden abdo pain, dizziness, syncope, nausea, vomiting, sweatiness, clamminess, hypotension, bruising
AAA investigations
Abdo exam, FBC, Clotting, ESR/CRP, USS, LFT’s, Renal functions
Treatment - Unruptured
Uncomplicated - <5.5cm = monitor, >5.5 = surgery]
Open surgery = clamp and replace
Endovascular = Stent and re-route to allow thrombosis
Ruptured - High mortality, surgical repair
What causes varicose veins
Incompetence of valves causes leakage and back pressure - dilated and tortuous veins
Varicose Veins risk factors
Pregnancy, female, age> 65
Varicose Veins Presentation
Itchy heavy legs, dull ache, night cramps, oedema, burning sensation, paraesthesia
Varicose Veins Treatment
Advise not dangerous, will improve after pregnancy
Dont sit/stand for too long and can be removed for cosmetic reasons
