Vessels of the Lower Limb Flashcards
where in the femoral triangle is the femoral artery found?
superficially therefore can be targeted in access for arterial tree to organs
what is the femoral vein used for?
emergency IV access and venepuncture
where does the great saphenous vein lie?
immediately infront of the medial malleolus
what is a common cause of lower limb ischaemia?
atherosclerotic disease
define ischaemia?
when perfusion fails to meet the demands of the tissue therefore resulting in tissue hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism and causing tissue damage
what is atherosclerosis?
it is a disease process - lipids are deposited in lesions in the walls of large arteries
what happens with inflammation?
the plaque can become unstable and rupture - it is highly thrombogenic and therefore there is platelet aggregation and activation of the coagulation cascade meaning a thrombus will form - embolus or clot
which classification is used for limb ischaemia?
the fontaine classification - asymptomatic, intermittent claudication, ischaemic rest pain and finally ulceration or gangrene (critical)
what is the process of chronic lower limb ischaemia?
the plaque grows, and blood flow is increasingly obstructed but there is time for a collateral circulation to develop, perfusion cannot meet the demands for oxygen, so there is anaerobic metabolism - pain and eventually ulceration
what are signs of critical ischaemia?
gangrene, ulceration and foot pain at rest
what is the difference between wet and dry gangrene?
dry - tissue necrosis without infection
wet - gangrene in tissue necrosis and infection - sepsis and death
what is the presentation of acute limb ischaemia?
6 Ps: pallor, pain, paralysis, pulse deficit, paraesthesia, poikliothermia
what are some complications of acute limb ischaemia?
bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis, venous or varicose ulcers
what is a sign of DVT?
tenderness on examination, warmness, red, swollen
what is a complication of DVT?
clots can break off from the main thrombus forming emboli and lodge in vessels around lungs causing pulmonary embolus
