Vascular Surgery Flashcards
AAA definition
Localised, focal dilatation of all three layers of the abdominal aorta to more than 1.5x its normal diameter (>3cm)
AAAs are classified into:
Suprarenal and infrarenal
Risk factors associated with AAA development include:
- Males
- Positive family history
- Advanced age
- Smoking
- Atherosclerosis
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Arterial hypertension
Physical examination findings consistent with AAA include:
Pulsatile abdominal mass and bruit on auscultation
The best initial and confirmatory diagnostic tool for AAA is:
Transabdominal ultrasound
All patients with an AAA undergo the following management:
- Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors
- Appropriate medical management of hypertension
- Smoking cessation
- Commencement of statin and aspirin therapy
Management of AAA in symptomatic patients includes:
Immediate vascular surgery consult
Emergency aneurysm repair
Any AAA less than —cm can be monitored via duplex ultrasound
5.5cm
Yearly ultrasound monitoring is indicated in AAAs of what size?
3.0-4.4cm
3 monthly ultrasound monitoring is indicated in AAAs of what size?
4.5-5.4cm
Surgical intervention should be considered for AAAs:
AAA>5.5cm in diameter
AAA expanding at a rate of >1cm/year
A symptomatic AAA in a patient who is otherwise fit
AAA repair techniques include:
- Open repair
- Endovascular repair
VTE definition
Formation of a blood clot within the deep veins which can impede blood flow in the lower limbs (DVT) or the lungs (PE).
VTEs can be further classified into:
- Provoked (in the presence of risk factors)
- Unprovoked (unidentified risk factors)
Risk factors for VTE formation include:
Age >60yo, cancer, thrombophilia, immobilisation, obesity, smoking , oestrogen exposure (HRT, OCP)
