Aortic Dissection & Aneurysm - Pathoma Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is an Aortic Dissection?
Intimal tear with dissection of blood through the media of the aortic wall
What two things are required for aortic dissection to occur?
- Ton of stress (usually first 10cm)
2. Pre-existing weakness of the middle layer
What is the most common cause of aortic dissection?
Hypertension
-causes atrophied middle layer
What is the most common cause of death after Aortic dissection?
Pericardial tamponade
What are the less common causes of death after Aortic dissection?
- Obstruction (e.g. compress renal arteries)
- Fatal hemorrhage due to rupture into mediastinum
Where do aneurysms most commonly occur?
Thorax & Abdomen
What are aortic aneurysms due to?
WEAKNESS in aortic wall
Why is weakness in the thoracic aorta commonly seen in tertiary syphilis?
Tertiary Syphilis => End-arteritis (inflammation of small blood vessels) leads to atrophy of blood vessels that supply aortic wall
What is the most important complication of thoracic aortic dissection?
-Dilation of the aortic valve root => aortic insufficiency
What are other complications of thoracic aortic dissections?
- Compression of mediastinal structures
- Thrombosis/embolism
How does atherosclerosis cause AAA?
Oxygen is not able to diffuse to all three layers of the vessel wall => layers atrophy => weakened wall => predisposition to AAA
When is a AAA likely to rupture?
> 5cm
What is the triad of AAA rupture?
- Hypotension (they are bleeding)
- Pulsatile abdominal mass
- Flank pain
