Vascular Diseases II Aneurysms and Dissections

Question 1

True aneurysm (2):

Answer 1

• Arterial or ventricular wall is thinned but intact

- Blood remains within the confines of the circulatory system

Question 2

False aneurysm (3):

Answer 2

• An extravascular hematoma
• Defect in vascular wall
• Communicates with intravascular space

Question 3

Pathogenesis of true aneurysms (5):

Answer 3

• Atherosclerosis (AAA)
• Hypertension (ascending aorta aneurysms)
• Weak connective tissue in vascular wall (Marfan/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
• Inflammation (MMP production degrades ECM)
• Cystic medial degeneration (CMD) from ischemia of vessel wall

Question 4

Location of AAA:

Answer 4

Below the renal arteries and above the bifurcation

Question 5

Most common cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms:

Answer 5

HTN

Question 6

Most common location of aortic dissection:

Answer 6

Within 10 cm of the aortic valve

Question 7

Type A aortic dissection:

Answer 7

Proximal - Ascending aorta +/- descending aorta

Question 8

Type B aortic dissection:

Answer 8

Distal - Does NOT involve ascending aorta