Vascular Facts

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 1

6 Ps

• Pain
• Pulselessness
• Pallor
• Perishing cold
• Paraesthesia (loss of sensation - tingling)
• Paralysis (loss of function)

Question 2

What is the presentation of an AAA?

Answer 2

1. Asymptomatic (majority)
2. Symptomatic (back pain)
3. Ruptured (back pain + collapse)

Question 3

What criteria might you use to test the probability of DVT or PE?

Answer 3

Wells score

Question 4

Give 5 signs/symptoms of a DVT

Answer 4

1. Pain/aching
2. Tenderness
3. Swelling
4. Warm
5. Altered skin colour

Question 5

What are the factors that predispose to venous thrombosis?

Answer 5

Virchow’s Triad

1. Stasis (immobility; intra-abdominal/pelvic mass compressing the venous system)
2. Hypercoagulability (high-dose oestrogens, malignancy, sepsis, thrombophilia’s)
3. Trauma

Question 6

What factors may lead you to discount ischaemic pain from:
Character
Location
Exacerbating factors

Answer 6

Character - Knife like; sharp; stabbing; aggravated by respiration
Location - left submammary area; left hemithorax
Exacerbating factors - pain AFTER completion of exercise, specific body motion

Question 7

INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION

1. Artery of calf pain?
2. Artery of thigh pain?
3. Artery of buttock pain?

Answer 7

1. Superficial femoral artery
2. External iliac artery
3. lower aorta or common and internal iliac arteries