Aortic Aneurysm & Dissection – Key Vocabulary

30 vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, complications, diagnostics, and management concepts for aortic aneurysm and dissection.

Aortic Aneurysm

Permanent, localized out-pouching or dilation of the aortic wall that can occur in the thoracic or abdominal aorta.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Aneurysm that develops in the abdominal aorta—75 % of all aortic aneurysms; most form below the renal arteries and are often asymptomatic.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA)

Aneurysm of the aortic arch or thoracic aorta; may cause angina, hoarseness, dysphagia, dyspnea, or JVD from pressure on nearby structures.

True Aneurysm

Dilation of all three layers of the arterial wall (intima, media, adventitia); the wall remains intact but weakened.

False (Pseudo) Aneurysm

Disruption of the arterial wall layers with bleeding that is contained by surrounding tissue, forming a hematoma that mimics an aneurysm.

Degenerative Cause

Age-related breakdown of collagen and elastin in the aortic wall leading to aneurysm formation.

Blue Toe Syndrome

Patchy cyanosis of toes caused by micro-emboli from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Grey Turner Sign

Flank ecchymosis indicating retroperitoneal bleeding, often seen with ruptured AAA.

Aneurysm Rupture

Life-threatening complication in which the aneurysm wall breaks, causing massive internal hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock.

Hypovolemic Shock

State of decreased blood volume marked by ↑HR, ↓BP, pallor, ↓urine output, ↓LOC—common after aneurysm rupture.

Retroperitoneal Rupture

AAA rupture limited by surrounding tissues; bleeding may be temporarily tamponaded, allowing time for surgical repair.

Endovascular Graft Procedure

Minimally invasive insertion of a stent-graft inside the aneurysm via femoral arteries to reinforce the aortic wall.

Graft Patency

The state of an inserted vascular graft remaining open and unobstructed, a primary postoperative nursing goal.

Aortic Dissection

Tear in the intimal layer of the aorta that allows blood to track between layers, creating a false channel and separating (dissecting) the wall.

Dissecting Aneurysm

Older term for aortic dissection emphasizing the presence of both dilation and wall separation.

Type A Dissection

Acute dissection involving the ascending aorta and/or arch; surgical emergency with high mortality.

Type B Dissection

Dissection confined to the descending thoracic aorta; often managed with endovascular repair or medical therapy.

Sharp “Tearing” Pain

Classic symptom of aortic dissection described as sudden, severe, ripping chest or back pain that follows the dissection path.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency

Regurgitation caused by Type A dissection that dilates the aortic root, producing a high-pitched murmur and possible heart failure.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart by pericardial blood, a fatal complication of proximal aortic dissection rupture.

Spinal Cord Ischemia

Loss of blood flow to spinal arteries during dissection, leading to lower-extremity weakness or paralysis.

Endovascular Dissection Repair

Placement of a stent-graft across the dissection entry tear, commonly used for Type B dissections.

Conservative Therapy (Dissection)

ICU management focusing on pain relief, HR <60 bpm, SBP 100-120 mmHg, and CVD risk reduction when surgery is not immediate.

Beta Blockers

First-line drugs (e.g., esmolol) used to lower heart rate and aortic wall stress in acute aortic dissection.

Risk Factor Modification

Reduction of smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other modifiable risks to slow aneurysm or dissection progression.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

Ultrasound probe in the esophagus providing real-time images of the thoracic aorta to diagnose aneurysm or dissection.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Gold-standard imaging test to identify size, location, and extent of aneurysms and dissections.

Ultrasound Screening

Non-invasive abdominal imaging recommended for men ≥65 years with smoking history to detect asymptomatic AAA.

Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Compression

Pressure from a large TAA on the SVC causing facial and arm edema and jugular venous distension.

Connective Tissue Disorders

Genetic conditions (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos) that weaken the aortic wall and increase aneurysm/dissection risk.