Vascular History

Question 1

PC: intermittent claudication
(muscle discomfort induced by exercise and relieved with rest caused by failure of blood supply and demand)

Answer 1

Site
Onset - acute (thrombosis) or chronic (atherosclerosis)
Character - gripping, cramping, burning, tightness
Associated symptoms - e.g. chest pain (IHD), impotence, numbness, paraesthesia, ulcers
Timing - intermittent, worse at night if rest pain?
Exacerbating factors - EXERCISE: how far can you walk? does the pain limit your walking? shortness of breath?
+ elevation of leg
Alleviating factors - REST: how long before the pain subsides?
+ lowering legs
Severity - 1-10

Question 2

6 P’s of acute ischaemia

Answer 2

Pain
Pallor
Perishing cold
Pulselessness
Paralysis
Paraethesia

Question 3

Risk factors for PVD

Answer 3

Diabetes
Hypertension
Pats vascular events
Smoking
Hypercholesterolaemia

Question 4

AAA presentation

Answer 4

Back pain

Question 5

DVT

Answer 5

Wells score

Question 6

Completion of HPC

Answer 6

Previous vascular problems
Previous vascular surgery/intervention
Other diseases caused by atheroma - MI, angina, stroke, TIA, amourosis fugax

Question 7

Drug history and allergies

Answer 7

Anticoagulants
Antiplatelet
Statins
Cardiovascular
Oral contraceptive
Anti hypertensives

Question 8

Social history

Answer 8

Occupation
Smoking
Alcohol
Diet
Exercise
Recent travel

Question 9

Family history