Peripheral Vascular Exam Flashcards
(40 cards)
Peripheral Vascular System
Consists of a system of interconnected veins and arteries which carry blood to and from the heart & lungs
Also involves the capillaries and lymphatic system
3 Arterial Pulses in the Upper Extremity
- Brachial– antecubital fossa
- Radial
- Ulnar
4 Abdominal Arteries
- Aorta
- Renal
- Iliac
- Mesenteric
Upper Extremity Veins (7)
Cephalic Subclavian Internal Jugular radial ulnar basilic SVC
Four pulses of the Lower Extremity
Femoral Popliteal Posterior Tibial Dorsalis Pedis– 1st and 2nd metatarsals
2 systems of lower extremity veins
Superficial
- Great Saphenous - Small Saphenous 2. Deep - Femoral - Popliteal
2 Lymph Nodes in the Upper Extremity
- Epitrochlear Node - 3 cm above medial epicondyle
of the elbow - Axillary Nodes - multiple in axilla
2 Lymph nodes in the lower extremity
- Horizontal Superficial Inguinal Nodes - lies in a
chain in the proximal anterior thigh just below the
inguinal ligament - Vertical Superficial Inguinal Nodes – lies in a cluster
in the upper part of the Saphenous vein
Risk factors of peripheral vascular diseases
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol abuse
- Cocaine use
- F/H of PAD/CAD/CVD/DVT/PE
- Obesity (BMI > 30)
- Age > 50 y/o
- Recent long distance travel
- Prolonged Inactivity
- Pregnancy or Post Partum
- Malignancy
Arterial Manifestations for peripheral vascular diseases
- Diminished or absent pulses
- Smooth, shiny, dry skin
- Loss of hair on lower extremities
- No edema
- Round, regular shaped painful ulcers on distal foot,
toes, or webs of toes - Dependent rubor– red color/tinge to the leg
- Pallor or pain when legs elevated
- Intermittent claudication- pain/ cramps ppl get
- Brittle thick nails
acute symptoms of arterial compromise
- Sudden Pain
2. Pulselessness
3. Pallor
4. Paraesthesias (numbness)
5. Paralysis (sudden weakness)
Chronic Symptoms of arterial compromise
a. Intermittent Claudication
b. Rest Pain
c. Tissue loss
1. Peripheral = Ulcer
2. Cerebral = TIA/CVA
3. Visceral = Mesenteric Ischemia or Bowel Infarction
4 characteristics of arterial problems
- Arterial Circulatory Compromise (Most Common)
a. Acute = Embolus
b. Chronic = Thrombosis
c. Compression = Positional/Postural - Bleeding = Rupture of an Aneurysm or Trauma
- Spasm = Raynaud’s Disease
- Inflammation = Arteritis
Different locations of obstruction
Aorto-iliac Disease = Gluteal Claudication
Femoral-Popliteal = Leg/Calf Claudication
Axillary Embolus = Ischemic changes in the forearm & hand
Brachial Embolus = Ischemic changes in the fingers & hand
DVT = Painful, swollen unilateral arm or leg
Arterial Causes of peripheral vascular disease
- Atherosclerosis (Thrombosis, Embolic)
- Diabetes
- Vasospastic Disorders (Raynaud’s)
- Trauma
Venous Manefestations
- Normal pulses
- Brown patches of skin discoloration on lower legs
- Dependent edema
- Irregular shaped, usually painless ulcers on lower
legs and ankles - Dependent cyanosis and pain
- Pain relieved with legs elevated
- No intermittent claudication
- Normal nails
Venous Causes
- DVT/PE
- Varicosities
- Venous Stasis Disease
JVP Exam
- Elevate head of bed to 30 to 45 degrees
- Look for increased JVP
- Measure JVP from the right (7 cm or > abnormal)
Upper Extremity Inspection
- Inspect both arms from the fingertips to the shoulders and note: - Size, Symmetry, or any Swelling - Venous pattern - Color of nail beds - Capillary Refill (< 2 sec) - Lesions or Scars
Lower Extremity Inspection
- Inspect legs from groin to toes bilaterally and note:
- Size, Symmetry, and any Swelling
- Venous pattern & any venous enlargement or
varicosities - Pigmentation, Scars, Ulcers or Rashes
- Color of Nail Beds
- Hair distribution on the legs, feet, & toes
- Muscle atrophy
- Loss of toes
- Obvious Pulsatile Masses (ant=femoral aneurysm,
post=popliteal aneurysm
Pulse Grading
- Grading 0 = Absent 1+ = Diminished 2+ = Normal 3+ = Increased 4+ = Bounding (may occur with hyperthyroid, fever, exercise, anxiety)
Characteristics of Pulses
Rate Rhythm Tortuosity Tenderness Bruits (Thrill)
Palpations and Auscultation of the Head & Neck
- Palpation: (Bilateral)
- Temporal Pulse (Pain = ? Temporal arteritis)
- Carotid Pulse (Auscultate for bruit first)
- Auscultation: (using bell bilateral) - Temporal Artery for Bruits (Temporal Arteritis)
- Carotid for Bruits at 3 points (Base, Mid, & at angle
of Mandible) - Supraclavicular & Infraclavicular for Subclavian
bruits
Upper Extremity Palpation
- Skin turgor, texture, & temperature
- Brachial, Radial, & Ulnar pulses
- Epitrochlear lymph node (size, consistency,
mobility, & tenderness)