vascular pathology

Question 1

aortic disection pathology andrisk factors

Answer 1

a break in the lumen of the artery which causes blodo to flow between the layers of the wall in the aorta, creating a ‘false lumen’

most commonly affects the ascending aorta and aortic arch (can affect any part of the aorta)

RF:
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Marfan’s Syndrome

Question 2

aortic dissection presentation:

Answer 2

Tearing chest pain of sudden onset
Radiating to the back
Hypertension
Hypotension (as the dissection becomes more severe)

Question 3

aortic dissection management:

Answer 3

Imaging:
Confirmation by immediate imaging (Ultrasound, CT or MRI angiogram)

Management:
Urgent vascular input and surgical repair
Manage hypertension (beta blockers)
Urgent surgical stenting or repair (time critical – each passing hour increases mortality)

Question 4

Takayasu’s arteritis

Answer 4

inflammatory and stenotic disease of medium-large sized arteries.

strong predilection for the aortic arch and branches (aortic arch syndrome)

malaise, fever, night sweats, arthralgia, anorexia, weight loss, pulses are absent in the involved vessels (e.g. subclavian artery).