aneurysms

Question 1

what is an aneurysm?

Answer 1

EXCESSIVE, LOCALIZED enlargement of an artery

-caused by: weakening of artery wall

Question 2

is an aneurysm vasodilation?

Answer 2

aneurysm is NOT vasodilation! vasodilation occurs throughout entire vessel and is fully reversible
-aneurysm is a bulge in a vessel in ONE area and is PERMENANT

Question 3

aneurysms are a result of?

Answer 3

degenerative change in vessel wall

—> d/t increased age, decreased ability for tissue repair

Question 4

risk factors for an aneurysm?

Answer 4

• atherosclerosis
• untreated HTN
• congential defects (in CVS, weakened walls)
• aging

Question 5

types of aneurysms?

Answer 5

1. TRUE aneurysm= vessel wall intact, >50% increase in diameter
2. FALSE aneurysm= vessel wall compromised, not intact

Question 6

forms of aneurysms?

Answer 6

fusiform
saccular
dissecting

Question 7

fusiform aneurysm?

Answer 7

bulge on both sides of vessel (bilateral)

Question 8

saccular aneurysm?

Answer 8

bulge on one side forming what looks like a sac

Question 9

dissecting aneurysm?

Answer 9

dissects layer of walls (blood goes in between vessel wall layers)

Question 10

common sites of aneurysms? (3)

Answer 10

1. where vessels bifurcate (divide into two branches)
2. where vessels bend
3. where vessel is not supported externally by muscles or other structures (abdominal and thoracic aorta, femoral and iliac and popliteal arteries)

Question 11

complications of aneurysms?

Answer 11

WEAKENED vessels BURST 
-in brain= stroke
-in aorta= severe blood loss, death
THROMBOSIS= more time to deal wit then rupture- blood goes through bulging area from small area to large diameter (blood swirling--> stasis---> pooling---> thrombus)
DISTAL EMBOLIZATION (thrombus breaks off and moves distal)
ANEURYSM APPLIES PRESSURE to adjacent tissue (if this is a nerve or another BV there can be problems like l/o function

Question 12

treatment for aneurysms?

Answer 12

surgery performed to prevent complications (rupture can also be repaired)