Vascular Surgery, C66 P489-516 Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis?
P489
Diffuse disease process in arteries; atheromas containing cholesterol and lipid form within the intima and inner media, often accompanied by ulcerations and smooth muscle hyperplasia
What is the common theory
of how atherosclerosis is
initiated?
P490
Endothelial injury → platelets adhere →
growth factors released → smooth
muscle hyperplasia/plaque deposition
What are the risk factors for
atherosclerosis?
P490
Hypertension, smoking, diabetes
mellitus, family history, hypercholesterolemia,
high LDL, obesity,
and sedentary lifestyle
What are the common sites
of plaque formation in
arteries?
P490
Branch points (carotid bifurcation), tethered sites (superficial femoral artery [SFA] in Hunter’s canal in the leg)
What must be present for a
successful arterial bypass
operation?
P490
- Inflow (e.g., patent aorta)
- Outflow (e.g., open distal popliteal
artery) - Run off (e.g., patent trifurcation
vessels down to the foot)
What is the major principle
of safe vascular surgery?
P90
Get proximal and distal control of the
vessel to be worked on!
What does it mean to
“POTTS” a vessel?
P490
Place a vessel loop twice around a vessel
so that if you put tension on the vessel
loop, it will occlude the vessel
What is the suture needle orientation through graft versus diseased artery in a graft to artery anastomosis? P490
Needle “in-to-out” of the lumen in
diseased artery to help tack down the
plaque and the needle “out-to-in” on the
graft
What are the three layers of
an artery?
P490
- Intima
- Media
- Adventitia
Which arteries supply the
blood vessel itself?
P490
Vaso vasorum
What is a true aneurysm?
P490
Dilation ( >2x nL diameter) of all three
layers of a vessel
What is a false aneurysm
(a.k.a pseudoaneurysm)?
P490
Dilation of artery not involving all three
layers (e.g., hematoma with fibrous
covering)
Often connects with vessel lumen and
blood swirls inside the false aneurysm
What is “ENDOVASCULAR”
repair?
P491 (picture)
Placement of a catheter in artery and
then deployment of a graft intraluminally
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
Define the arterial anatomy:
P491 (picture)
- Aorta
- Internal iliac (hypogastric)
- External iliac
- Common femoral artery
- Profundi femoral artery
- Superficial femoral artery (SFA)
- Popliteal artery
- Trifurcation
- Anterior tibial artery
- Peroneal artery
- Posterior tibial artery
- Dorsalis pedis artery
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE How can you remember the orientation of the lower exterior arteries below the knee on A-gram? P492
Use the acronym “LAMP”:
Lateral Anterior tibial
Medial Posterior tibial
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is peripheral vascular
disease (PVD)?
P492
Occlusive atherosclerotic disease in the
lower extremities
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What is the most common site of arterial atherosclerotic occlusion in the lower extremities? P492
Occlusion of the SFA in Hunter’s canal
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What are the symptoms of
PVD?
P492
Intermittent claudication, rest pain,
erectile dysfunction, sensorimotor
impairment, tissue loss
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is intermittent
claudication?
P492
Pain, cramping, or both of the lower
extremity, usually the calf muscle, after
walking a specific distance; then the
pain/cramping resolves after stopping for
a specific amount of time while standing;
this pattern is reproducible
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is rest pain?
P492
Pain in the foot, usually over the distal
metatarsals; this pain arises at rest
(classically at night, awakening the
patient)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What classically resolves rest
pain?
P492
Hanging the foot over the side of the bed
or standing; gravity affords some extra
flow to the ischemic areas
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE How can vascular causes of claudication be differentiated from nonvascular causes, such as neurogenic claudication or arthritis? P492
History (in the vast majority of patients)
and noninvasive tests; remember,
vascular claudication appears after a
specific distance and resolves after a
specific time of rest while standing (not
so with most other forms of claudication)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What is the differential diagnosis of lower extremity claudication? P492
Neurogenic (e.g., nerve entrapment/ discs), arthritis, coarctation of the aorta, popliteal artery syndrome, chronic compartment syndrome, neuromas, anemia, diabetic neuropathy pain
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What are the signs of PVD?
P493
Absent pulses, bruits, muscular atrophy,
decreased hair growth, thick toenails,
tissue necrosis/ulcers/infection
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What is the site of a PVD ulcer vs. a venous stasis ulcer? P493
PVD arterial insufficiency ulcer—usually
on the toes/foot
Venous stasis ulcer—medial malleolus
(ankle)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is the ABI?
P493
Ankle to Brachial Index (ABI);
simply, the ratio of the systolic blood
pressure at the ankle to the systolic blood
pressure at the arm (brachial artery) A:B;
ankle pressure taken with Doppler; the
ABI is noninvasive
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What ABIs are associated with normals, claudicators, and rest pain? P493
Normal ABI— ≥1.0
Claudicator ABI— <0.4
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
Who gets false ABI
readings?
P493
Patients with calcified arteries, especially
those with diabetes
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What are PVRs?
P493
Pulse Volume Recordings; pulse wave forms are recorded from lower extremities representing volume of blood per heart beat at sequential sites down leg Large wave form means good collateral blood flow (Noninvasive using pressure cuffs)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE Prior to surgery for chronic PVD, what diagnostic test will every patient receive? P493
A-gram (arteriogram: dye in vessel and
x-rays) maps disease and allows for
best treatment option (i.e., angioplasty
vs. surgical bypass vs. endarterectomy)
Gold standard for diagnosing PVD
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What is the bedside management of a patient with PVD? P493
- Sheep skin (easy on the heels)
- Foot cradle (keeps sheets/blankets off
the feet) - Skin lotion to avoid further cracks in
the skin that can go on to form a
fissure and then an ulcer
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What are the indications for
surgical treatment in PVD?
P494
Use the acronym “STIR”: Severe claudication refractory to conservative treatment that affects quality of life/livelihood (e.g., can’t work because of the claudication) Tissue necrosis Infection Rest pain
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is the treatment of
claudication?
P494
For the vast majority, conservative treatment, including exercise, smoking cessation, treatment of HTN, diet, aspirin, with or without Trental (pentoxifylline)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE How can the medical conservative treatment for claudication be remembered? P494
Use the acronym “PACE”: Pentoxifylline Aspirin Cessation of smoking Exercise
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
How does aspirin work?
P494
Inhibits platelets (inhibits cyclooxygenase and platelet aggregation)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
How does Trental®
(pentoxifylline) work?
P494
Results in increased RBC deformity and
flexibility (Think: pentoXifylline = RBC
fleXibility)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is the risk of limb loss
with claudication?
P494
5% limb loss at 5 years (Think: 5 in 5),
10% at 10 years (Think: 10 in 10)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is the risk of limb loss
with rest pain?
P494
>50% of patients will have amputation of
the limb at some point
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE In the patient with PVD, what is the main postoperative concern? P494
Cardiac status, because most patients with PVD have coronary artery disease; ≈20% have an AAA MI is the most common cause of postoperative death after a PVD operation
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is Leriche’s syndrome?
P495
Buttock Claudication, Impotence (erectile dysfunction), and leg muscle Atrophy from occlusive disease of the iliacs/distal aorta Think: “CIA”: Claudication Impotence Atrophy (Think: CIA spy Leriche)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What are the treatment
options for severe PVD?
P495
- Surgical graft bypass
- Angioplasty—balloon dilation
- Endarterectomy—remove diseased
intima and media - Surgical patch angioplasty (place patch
over stenosis)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is a FEM-POP bypass?
P495 (picture)
Bypass SFA occlusion with a graft from the
FEMoral artery to the POPliteal artery
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is a FEM-DISTAL
bypass?
P496 (picture)
Bypass from the FEMoral artery to a DISTAL artery (peroneal artery, anterior tibial artery, or posterior tibial artery)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What graft material has the
longest patency rate?
P496
Autologous vein graft
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is an “in situ” vein
graft?
P496
Saphenous vein is more or less left in place, all branches are ligated, and the vein valves are broken with a small hook or cut out; a vein can also be used if reversed so that the valves do not cause a problem
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What type of graft is used for above-the-knee FEM-POP bypass? P496
Either vein or Gortex® graft; vein still has
better patency
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE What type of graft is used for below-the-knee FEM-POP or FEM-DISTAL bypass? P496
Must use vein graft; prosthetic grafts
have a prohibitive thrombosis rate
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is DRY gangrene?
P496
Dry necrosis of tissue without signs of
infection (“mummified tissue”)
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is WET gangrene?
P497
Moist necrotic tissue with signs of
infection
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
What is blue toe syndrome?
P497
Intermittent painful blue toes (or fingers)
due to microemboli from a proximal
arterial plaque
LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATIONS
What are the indications?
P497
Irreversible tissue ischemia (no hope for
revascularization bypass) and necrotic
tissue, severe infection, severe pain with
no bypassable vessels, or if patient is not
interested in a bypass procedure
LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATIONS
Identify the level of the
following amputations:
P497 (picture)
- Above-the-Knee Amputation (AKA)
- Below-the-Knee Amputation (BKA)
- Symes amputation
- Transmetatarsal amputation
- Toe amputation
LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATIONS
What is a Ray amputation?
P497
Removal of toe and head of metatarsal
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What is it?
P498
Acute occlusion of an artery, usually by
embolization; other causes include acute
thrombosis of an atheromatous lesion,
vascular trauma
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What are the classic signs/symptoms of acute arterial occlusion? P498
The “six P’s”: Pain Paralysis Pallor Paresthesia Polar (some say Poikilothermia—you pick) Pulselessness (You must know these!)
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What is the classic timing of pain with acute arterial occlusion from an embolus? P498
Acute onset; the patient can classically
tell you exactly when and where it
happened
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What is the immediate
preoperative management?
P498
- Anticoagulate with IV heparin (bolus
followed by constant infusion) - A-gram
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What are the sources of
emboli?
P498
1. Heart—85% (e.g., clot from AFib, clot forming on dead muscle after MI, endocarditis, myxoma) 2. Aneurysms 3. Atheromatous plaque (atheroembolism)
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What is the most common cause of embolus from the heart? P498
AFib
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What is the most common site of arterial occlusion by an embolus? P498
Common femoral artery (SFA is the most
common site of arterial occlusion from
atherosclerosis)
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What diagnostic studies are
in order?
P498
- A-gram
- ECG (looking for MI, AFib)
- Echocardiogram ( ± ) looking for clot,
MI, valve vegetation
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What is the treatment?
P499
Surgical embolectomy via cutdown and Fogarty balloon (bypass is reserved for embolectomy failure)
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What is a Fogarty?
P499
Fogarty balloon catheter—catheter with
a balloon tip that can be inflated with
saline; used for embolectomy
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
How is a Fogarty catheter
used?
P499
Insinuate the catheter with the balloon
deflated past the embolus and then inflate
the balloon and pull the catheter out; the
balloon brings the embolus with it
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION How many mm in diameter is a 12 French Fogarty catheter? P499
Simple: To get mm from French
measurements, divide the French
number by ∏, or 3.14; thus, a 12 French
catheter is 12/3 = 4 mm in diameter
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What must be looked for postoperatively after reperfusion of a limb? P499
Compartment syndrome,
hyperkalemia, renal failure from
myoglobinuria, MI
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
What is compartment
syndrome?
P499
Leg (calf) is separated into compartments
by very unyielding fascia; tissue swelling
from reperfusion can increase the
intracompartmental pressure, resulting
in decreased capillary flow, ischemia, and
myonecrosis; myonecrosis may occur
after the intracompartment pressure
reaches only 30 mm Hg
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION What are the signs/ symptoms of compartment syndrome? P499
Classic signs include pain, especially after
passive flexing/extension of the foot,
paralysis, paresthesias, and pallor; pulses
are present in most cases because
systolic pressure is much higher than
the minimal 30 mm Hg needed for the
syndrome!
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
Can a patient have a pulse
and compartment syndrome?
P499
YES!
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
How is the diagnosis made?
P499
History/suspicion, compartment pressure
measurement
ACUTE ARTERIAL OCCLUSION
P500What is the treatment of
compartment syndrome?
P500
Treatment includes opening compartments
via bilateral calf-incision fasciotomies of
all four compartments in the calf
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is it also known as?
P500
AAA, or “triple A”
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is it?
P500 (picture)
Abnormal dilation of the abdominal aorta
( >1.5–2x normal), forming a true
aneurysm
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is the male to female
ratio?
P500
≈6:1
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
By far, who is at the highest
risk?
P500
White males
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is the common
etiology?
P500
Believed to be atherosclerotic in 95%
of cases; 5% inflammatory
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is the most common
site?
P500
Infrarenal (95%)
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What is the incidence?
P500
5% of all adults older than 60 years
of age
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS What percentage of patients with AAA have a peripheral arterial aneurysm? P500
20%
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What are the risk factors?
P501
Atherosclerosis, hypertension, smoking,
male gender, advanced age, connective
tissue disease
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What are the symptoms?
P501
Most AAAs are asymptomatic and discovered during routine abdominal exam by primary care physicians; in the remainder, symptoms range from vague epigastric discomfort to back and abdominal pain
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
Classically, what do testicular
pain and an AAA signify?
P501
Retroperitoneal rupture with ureteral
stretch and referred pain to the testicle
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What are the risk factors for
rupture?
P501
Aneurysm diameter (value + progression), HTN, symptomatic, COPD
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What are the signs of
rupture?
P501
Classic triad of ruptured AAA:
1. Abdominal pain 2. Pulsatile abdominal mass 3. Hypotension
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
By how much each year do
AAAs grow?
P501
≈3 mm/year on average (larger AAAs
grow faster than smaller AAAs)
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS Why do larger AAAs rupture more often and grow faster than smaller AAAs? P501
Probably because of Laplace’s law
wall tension = pressure x diameter
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS What is the risk of rupture per year based on AAA diameter size? P501
<5cm = 4%
5-7cm = 7%
7 cm = 20%
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
What are other risks for
rupture?
P501
Hypertension, smoking, COPD
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
Where does the aorta
bifurcate?
P501
At the level of the umbilicus; therefore,
when palpating for an AAA, palpate
above the umbilicus and below the
xiphoid process