Vascular Flashcards
Chronic limb ischaemia (CLI)
PAD, resulting in symptomatic reduction in blood supply to the lower limb. Generally caused by atherosclerosis.
CLI risk factors
Smoking Hyperlipidaemia Hypertension Male DM Increasing age FHx Obesity
CLI Fontaine classification
Stage 1- Asymptomatic
Stage 2- intermittent claudication (cramping after walked fixed distance- claudication distance)
Stage 3- ischaemic rest pain
Stage 4- ulceration/gangrene/both
Buergers test- Pt supine, raise leg until pale, lower down to reperfuse. If buergers angle less than 20 degrees then severe ischaemia.
CLI investigations
ABPI- <0.5 is severe
>0.9 is normal. If >1.2 then consider incorrect reading due to calcification or hardening.
Also conduct CVS assessment as usually have the risk factors.
If <50yrs without RF consider thrombophilia screen.
CLI management
Lifestyle
Statin (80mg Atorvastatin)
Anti-platelet therapy
Optimise diabetes control
Enrol in supervised exercise programme.
Consider surgery when supervised exercise and lifestyle failed and RF modification failed.
Surgery options; angioplasty, bypass graft or combination. Also amputation.
CLI complications
Sepsis (infected gangrene)
Acute on chronic ischaemia
Amputation
Reduced mobility and QoL
Critical limb ischaemia
Complication of CLI;
>2wk of ischaemic rest pain
Gangrene/ischaemic lesions
ABPI<0.5
Differentials; spinal stenosis, acute limb ischaemia
Investigate with a Doppler USS (severity and location). Follow with CT/MRI.
Needs immediate surgical intervention.
Acute Limb Ischaemia (ALI)
Sudden full/partial occlusion of the artery, leading to poor functional outcomes/rapid ischaemia.
Caused by embolism (normal contralateral pulse), thrombus from plaque or trauma.
Differentials- critical CLI, acute DVT, SC compression.
Pallor, pulselessness, perishingly cold, paralysis, pain and paraesthesia.
ALI Investigations
Bloods (lactate-look at ischaemia, thrombophilia screen if <50yrs without RF, group and save), ECG.
Doppler USS with CT angiography follow up (CT arteriogram if limb salvageable)
ALI Management
Surgical emergency-within 6hrs. Embelctomy (if embolic), bypass, intra-arterial thrombolysis, angioplasty.
High flow O2, IV fluids and therapeutic heparin dose.
Conservative- Prolonged heparin, regular assessment.
Irreversible Limb Ischaemia
(Mottled, non-blanching, hard woody muscles)- Urgent amputation.
Long term- Reduce CVS RF, start on antiplatelet.
Amputation- Regular physio and occupational health.
ALI complications
High mortality
Reperfusion Injury
Compartment syndrome
Damaged muscles releasing K+, H+ and myoglobin (AKI)
AAA
Greater than 3mm dilation
RF and aetiology discussed in cardiology.
AAA symptoms
Usually asymp.
Ab, loin, back pain.
Pulsatile mass at abdomen
Ruptured may present with shock, syncope, pain, vomiting.
Differential- renal colic
AAA Investigations
USS
CT with contrast if >5.5cm
AAA Management
Medical- Monitor if <5.5cm.
Reduce CVS risk- BP control, statin, stop smoking, weight loss.
Surgical- Open repair- midline laprotomy.
Endovascular repair- graft via the femoral artery and fixing a stent across the aneurysm.
Endovascular- short hospital stay but increased reintervention.
AAA Complications
Rupture (Most common)
Retroperitoneal leak
Embolisation
Aortoduodenal fistula.
Ruptured AAA
Increased risk with increased size.
Haemodynamically compromised.
Triad- Flank/back pain, hypotension, pulsatile ab mass.
Manage- Immediate referral and bloods, O2, crossmatch. Stable need CT angiogram to see if endovascular repair appropriate. Unstable need open surgical repair.
Deep Venous Insufficiency
DVT+Valvular insufficiency+varicose vein= chronic venous insufficiency.
Causes: Primary- defect to wall/valve (inc congenital).
Secondary- post damage
DVI- RF
Increase Age Female Pregnancy previous DVT Obesity Smoking
DVI
Differentials
Investigations
Renal, hepatic and cardiac disease.
Doppler USS
Foot pulses and ABPI- compression stocking.