Vascular Flashcards
(115 cards)
Appearance of venous ulcers?
Shallow
Irregular boarders
Odema, haemosidrin deposition (brown), eczma, painless
Pt may also have varicose veins as these are secondary venous insufficiency
Where are venous ulcers commonly found?
Medial malleolus/gaiter region
What is the pathophysiology of venous ulcers?
Valvular incompitence/venous outflow obstruction
Impaired venous return
Venous HTN causes trapping of WBC in capillaries and the formation of a fibrin cuff around the vessel hindering oxygen transportation into the tissue
WBC activation
Release of inflammatory mediators
Tissue injury and poor healing necrosis
Clinical features of a venous ulcer
Painful, worse at the end of the day Before ulceration - Aching - Itching - Bursting sensation Associated varicose eczma Haemosiderin skin staining Thrombophlebitis Lipodermatosclerosis Atrophie blanche Ankle/leg odema
Management of venous ulcers
Leg elevation Exercise Weight loss Improved nutrition Abx if clinical evidence of wound infection Multicomponent compression bandaging changed 1-2 times a week (ABPI>0.6 before bandaging applied) Dressings and emollients Treatment of coccurent varicose veins
What are the causes of neuropathic ulcers?
Peripheral neuropathy (DM, B12 def)
Alcohol
Concurrent peripheral vascular disease
Foot deformity
Neuropathic ulcer appearance
Punched out appearence
Variable size/depth
Clinical features of neuropathic ulcers
Single nerve invovlement
Amotrophic neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, glove and stocking distribution with warm feet
Burning/tingling
Where do neuropathic ulcers usually occur?
Pressure areas
Management of neuropathic ulcers
Specialised diabetic foot clinics Diabetic and CVS disease control optomisation Improved diet Exercise Regular chiropody Ischemic/necrotic tissue debridment Amputation of necrotic didgits
What is Charcots Foot
Neuroarthopathy where by a loss of joint sensation results in continual unnoticed trauma and deformity occuring. Deformity predisposes patient to neuropathic ulcer formation.
How does Charcot’s Foot present?
Swelling Distortion Pain Loss of function Rocker bottom sole - deformity causing loss of the transverse arch
What do arterial ulcers look like?
Small Deep Well definied Little granulation tissue compared to venous ulcers (more necrotic) PUNCHED OUT Will be on heels/toes
Cool extremities low APBI
Clinical features of arterialulcers
Hx of imtermittent claudication/critical limb ischemia Cold limbs with reduced/absent pulses Thickened tonails Necrotic toes Hair loss
Risk factors for arterial ulcers
Obesity HTN FHx Smoking DM (microvascular and macrovascular complications) Hyperlipidemia Physical inactivity Increasing age
Pathophysiology of arterial ulcers
Atherosclerosis
Reduced tissue perfusion
Poor wound healing
Medical management of arterial disease
Statins
Antiplatelets
CBG optimisation
BP control
Surgical mamagement of arterial disease
Angioplasty +/- stenting
Bypass grafting in extensive disease
Management of arterial ulcers
Optimisation of underlying arterial disease
If non healing depsite adequete blood supply skin graft may be offered
Pressure ulcer staging
Stage 1 Epidermis
Stage 2 Dermis
Stage 3 Adipose and fascia
Stage 4 Muscle and bone
What are risk factors for DVT?
Previous DVT Phlebitis Smoking Increasing age Female FHx Obesity Pregnancy Long periods of standing Immobility Mallignancy Recent surgery
What is Virchow’s triad?
Endothelial injury
Stasis of blood flow
Hypercoagulability
Clinical features of DVT
Lower limb swelling Puritis Pain Thrombophlebitis Erythmatous Warm skin around painful Lipodermatosclerosis Haemosiderin skin staining Atrophi blanche Pedal odema
How is DVT investigated?
Doppler USS if D-dimer positive OR Wells>=2
Foot pulses
ABPI
D dimer if Wells score < 2 to rule out DVT