vascular pathology

Question 1

atheroma can cause turbulent air

Question 2

what is an atheroma contained within

Answer 2

fibrous cap

Question 3

what happens to atheroma’s over time

Answer 3

they become calcified over time
- progressive vessel narrowing

Question 4

what is peripheral vascular disease

Answer 4

atheromatous plaque formation occurs in larger peripheral vessels usually lower limb
- progressive narrowing limits blood flow to lower limb

Question 5

how can peripheral vascular disease causes ischaemia

Answer 5

exercise increases oxygen demand for muscles which cannot be fulfilled and hence developing ischaemia

Question 6

what is claudication

Answer 6

Claudication refers to muscle pain due to lack of oxygen that’s triggered by activity and relieved by rest.

Question 7

what are 2 forms of treatment for peripheral vascular disease

Answer 7

angioplasty or bypass surgery

Question 8

what may be needed if ischaemia is severe

Answer 8

limb amputation

Question 9

what is thrombosis

Answer 9

thrombosis may form at site of atheroma due to plaque damage
blood clot

Question 10

what can be a sign of thrombosis

Answer 10

cold limb with reduced/absent peripheral pulses

Question 11

what happens if the thrombosis occurs in the carotids and ebomlises (blocked vessel)

Answer 11

stroke

Question 12

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 12

thickening/hardenning of arteries

Question 13

what can hypertension do to atherosclerosis

Answer 13

accelerate atherosclerosis

Question 14

give a few examples of the secondary effects of hypertension

Answer 14

left ventricular hypertrophy
coronary artery disease
cerebrovascular disease (haemorrhage and ischaemic)
retinopathy
nephropathy ( the deterioration of kidney function. )
aneurysm (a bulging, weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel resulting in an abnormal widening )

Question 15

what are the 4 types of aneurysms and what are they

Answer 15

1. fusiform, circumferential (aneurysm that has a circumferential and ballooning shape, around whole artery)
2. fusiform saccular ( bulges on one side)
3. false (breach to the arterial wall, loss of wall integrity and clot attached )
4. dissecting, saccular (loss of wall integrity with eccentric dilation)

Question 16

what is an aneurysm

Answer 16

dilation of artery x2 normal

Question 17

what are some causes of aneurymssm

Answer 17

• atherosclerosis
• connective tissue disease
• infection
• increased risk with hypertension

Question 18

what screening is used to find abdominal aortic aneurysms

Answer 18

ultrasound

Question 19

what treatment is used for aneurysms

Answer 19

surgery or end-vascular graft

Question 20

what is aortic dissection

Answer 20

a tear occurs in the inner layer of the body’s main artery (aorta). Blood rushes through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to split

Question 21

what are treatments if the dissection occurs in the ascending or descending aorta

Answer 21

if in ascending = ascending aorta replaced
if in descending = blood pressure control

Question 22

what are varicose veins

Answer 22

failure of venous valves within lower limb venous return

Question 23

treatment for varicose veins?

Answer 23

vein removal or scleorosing injection as valves cant be repaired

Question 24

whats deep vein thrombosis

Answer 24

thrombosis in deeper vein
common in calf, femoral or iliac veins

Question 25

symptoms of deep vein thrombosis

Answer 25

limb swelling and discomfort

Question 26

risk factors of deep vein thrombosis?

Answer 26

malignancy
immobility
clotting disorders
medication

Question 27

how can you detect and treat deep vein thrombosis

Answer 27

detect via ultrasound imaging
treatment = anticoagulation or IVC filters sometimes

Question 28

what is pulmonary embolism

Answer 28

blood clot from elsewhere dislodges and enters pulmonary arterial tree
- obstructs blood supply to affected area
- large PE can be fatal

Question 29

what is vasculitis

Answer 29

inflammation of arterial vessel walls