Vascular surgery Flashcards
what is intermittent claudication?
crampy, achy pain in the calf, thigh or buttock muscles associated with muscle fatigue when walking beyond a certain intensity and relieved by rest
what are the features of critical limb ischaemia?
Pain at rest
Non-healing ulcers and gangrene
Pain is worse at night
what are the features of acute limb ischaemia?
Pain
Pallor
Pulseless
Paralysis
Paraesthesia
Perishing cold
How does peripheral arterial disease present?
intermittent claudication
what is Leriche Syndrome?
occlusion in the distal aorta or proximal common iliac artery. There is a clinical triad of:
Thigh/buttock claudication
Absent femoral pulses
Male impotence
what are the signs of arterial disease on inspection?
Skin pallor
Cyanosis
Dependent rubor
Muscle wasting
Hair loss
Ulcers
Poor wound healing
Gangrene
what are some examination findings in peripheral arterial disease?
Reduced skin temperature
Reduce sensation
Prolonged capillary refill time
Changes during Buerger’s test
what are the colour changes of the legs in the Buerger’s test that indicated peripheral arterial disease?
pale when elevated
when lowered blue -> dark red
what are the features of arterial ulcers?
Are smaller than venous ulcers
Are deeper than venous ulcers
Have well defined borders
Have a “punched-out” appearance
Occur peripherally (e.g., on the toes)
Have reduced bleeding
Are painful
what are the features of venous ulcers?
Occur after a minor injury to the leg
Are larger than arterial ulcers
Are more superficial than arterial ulcers
Have irregular, gently sloping borders
Affect the gaiter area of the leg (from the mid-calf down to the ankle)
Are less painful than arterial ulcers
Occur with other signs of chronic venous insufficiency (e.g., haemosiderin staining and venous eczema)
what 3 investigations can be done in peripheral arterial disease?
Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI)
Duplex ultrasound
Angiography (CT or MRI)
how is ankle-brachial pressure index calculated?
ratio of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the ankle (around the lower calf) compared with the systolic blood pressure in the arm
0.9 – 1.3 is normal
what is the management of intermittent claudication?
Lifestyle changes -> stop smoking, manage hypertension
Exercise training
Atorvastatin, Clopidogrel, Naftidrofuryl oxalate
Surgery -> Endovascular angioplasty and stenting, endarterectomy, bypass surgery
what are the management options for critical limb ischaemia ?
Endovascular angioplasty and stenting
Endarterectomy
Bypass surgery
Amputation of the limb if it is not possible to restore the blood supply
what are the management options for acute limb ischaemia?
Endovascular thrombolysis
Endovascular thrombectomy
Surgical thrombectomy
Endarterectomy
Bypass surgery
Amputation
state 5 VTE risk factors
Immobility
Recent surgery
Long haul travel
Pregnancy
Hormone therapy with oestrogen (combined oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy)
Malignancy
Polycythaemia
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Thrombophilia e.g. antiphospholipid syndrome
what is given as VTE prophylaxis?
low molecular weight heparin, such as enoxaparin
state 2 contraindications to VTE prophylaxis with LMWH?
active bleeding
existing anticoagulation with warfarin or a DOAC
what is the main contraindication to anti-embolic compression stockings?
significant peripheral arterial disease
what are the presenting symptoms of a VTE?
Calf or leg swelling
Dilated superficial veins
Tenderness to the calf (particularly over the site of the deep veins)
Oedema
Colour changes to the leg
how to you examine for leg swelling in DVT?
measure the circumference of the calf 10cm below the tibial tuberosity. More than 3cm difference between calves is significant
what is the diagnostic investigation for DVT?
Doppler ultrasound