vascular disease Flashcards
what is the main type of vascular disease in arteries?
atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis
what size and type of arteries does atherosclerosis usually affect?
large and medium sized elastic and muscular arteries
what are the characteristics of atherosclerosis?
lipid deposition, fibrosis and chronic inflammation
what forms the ‘cap’ of atheromatous?
smooth muscle cells. macrophages, foam cells, lymphocytes, collagen and elastin
what part of the atheromatous forms the necrotic centre?
cell debris, cholesterol crystals, foam cells and calcium
what causes peripheral vascular disease?
atheroma of distal aorta, iliac and femoral arteries
what effect does peripheral vascular disease have on the lower limbs?
causes ischaemia
what are four effects peripheral vascular disease can have?
intermittent claudication
pain
ulcers
gangrene
what is the definition of an aneurysm?
a localised, permanent, abnormal dilation of a blood vessel or the heart
which artery is the most commonly affected by atherosclerotic aneurysms?
usually abdominal aorta, distal to renal arteries
what is the length of atherosclerotic aneurysms usually?
15-25cm
by how much percentage can the wall of the artery increase in size in an atherosclerotic aneurysm?
more than 50%
what are some clinical consequences of an atherosclerotic aneurysm?
thrombosis embolism rupture obstruction of a branch vessel (which in turn would lead to ischemic injury) impingement on an adjacent structure
what causes a dissecting aortic aneurysm?
blood flow beneath the tunica intima (usually starts with an intimal tear 1-2cm from aortic valves)
what is the most common clinical presentation of an aortic aneurysm?
sudden onset of excruciating pain in the back between the scapulae
what is the most common cause of death with a dissecting aortic aneurysm?
rupture of the dissection outwards into pericardial, pleura or peritoneal cavities
where in the body do berry aneurysms occur?
in the circle of willis
what age of people are usually affected by a berry aneurysm?
young people
what is an affect of a berry aneurysm?
sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
which artery is most commonly affected by capillary micro-aneurysms?
small branches of middle cerebral artery
what diseases are associated with causing capillary micro-aneurysms?
hypertension and diabetes mellitus
the final stage of syphilis can cause syphilitic aneurysms, which artery is most commonly affected?
the thoracic aorta
what causes mycotic aneurysms?
the wall of the artery is weekend by a bacterial or fungal infection
what causes varicose veins?
caused by blood accumulation in superficial venous system because of incompetent communicating veins between the superficial and deep veins
