What is the difference b/w an aneurysm & a dissection? And where does each usu occur?
Aneurysm: usu occurs in the abdominal aorta
It bloats out, but no blood gets thru the layers.
Dissection: usu occurs in the thoracic aorta
intima gets messed up & blood gets thru the layers
What is a potential cause for sudden back pain?
a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
With aneurysms…what is the role of thrombus?
Often, thrombus fills the lumen of the aorta until the lumen is closer to its original size.
What membrane covers the aorta?
parietal peritoneum b/c the aorta is retroperitoneal
What might you hear with your stethoscope when there is a huge aneurysm?
a bruit
What can cause shock? What are its symptoms?
can be caused by: bleeding, low blood volume, sepsis, inadequate tissue perfusion Symptoms: confusion reduced urine output hypotension tachycardia (to compensate)
What are the 2 contexts in which aneurysms are discovered?
Found by chance…need to decide if you will fix it.
Found b/c it ruptured! Fix it or they will die.
How do we fix an aneurysm these days?
Graft w/ a stent
it is fed up thru the groin & popped into place
What is the difference b/w a blood clot that is thrombotic vs. embolic?
Thrombotic: the blood clot is lodged in the place where it was formed…
Embolic: blood clot traveled from one place & lodged in another
What is mesenteric ischemia?
interruption of blood flow to the intestines usu b/c of a blood clot
If Acute: no time for collaterals to develop
If Chronic: collaterals had time to develop
What is an endoarectomy?
when you go into the aorta & remove the plaque that is obstructing blood flow
Where do emboli typically lodge?
at a branch point of the vessel
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usu _________.
athersclerotic
Dead intestine is a powerful generator of what? What could this lead to?
a powerful generator of acid
could lead to metabolic acidosis
