Vascular Assessment

Question 1

What are two important mechanisms of ischemic stroke that are amenable to effective secondary prevention?

Answer 1

atrial fibrillation

carotid artery stenosis

Question 2

What are the goals in the initial phase of stroke care?

Answer 2

ABCs

reverse any conditions

determine if acute ischemic strokes are candidates for IV tPA or endovascular thrombectomy

Question 3

What are the three most predictive exam findings for the diagnosis of acute stroke?

Answer 3

facial paresis

arm drift/weakness

abnormal speech

Question 4

Nonspecific neurologic symptoms are NOT indicative of what?

Answer 4

carotid stenosis

therefore, these pts with these sx in isolation should be considered as asymptomatic regarding carotid dz even if they are found to have carotid artery stenosis

Question 5

Is it suggested to screen asymptomatic individuals for carotid artery stenosis with vascular imaging tests?

Answer 5

NO

Question 6

Vascular testing may be indicated for patietns with suspected arterial disease based upon what?

Answer 6

symptoms

PE findings

or in pts with risk factors for atherosclerosis or other arterial pathology

Question 7

If a pt is suspected to have claudication and risk for PAD and initial ABIs are negative, what is the next step?

Answer 7

perform exercise testing with post-exercise ABIs

Question 8

Clinical presentation of Peripheral venous insufficiency varies widly but most common sx reported are what?

Answer 8

limb discomfort, pain, limb swelling

Question 9

PAD symptoms include

Answer 9

pain with walking that is relieved by rest

pain may be worse with elevation

Question 10

PVI symptoms include

Answer 10

swelling, vein and skin changes, ulcerations, may have numbness, tingling or itching

may see telangiectasias, varicose veins, stasis fermatitis