Vascular Chapter Study Guide - Flashcards

42 flashcards covering vascular anatomy, pathophysiology, and ultrasound concepts.

What are the primary functions of the circulatory system?

Transport gases, nutrients and essential substances to tissues; transport waste products to sites of excretion.

Venous blood flow is directed only toward the __.

The heart.

What is the second major branch off the aorta?

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA), located just below the celiac trunk.

Between the aorta and SMA lies the __ vein.

Left renal.

Name the sections of the aorta.

Root, Ascending aorta & Arch, Descending aorta, Abdominal aorta & branches, Bifurcation into iliacs.

Arteries are described by the three wall layers: tunica intima, media, and __.

Adventicia

Are arteries more elastic than veins, and how does their diameter compare?

Yes; arteries are more elastic and have a smaller (narrower) diameter than veins.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and are __.

pulsatile.

List the branches off the aorta: anterior, lateral, and terminal.

Anterior: Celiac trunk, Common hepatic, Gastroduodenal, Left & Right Gastric, Splenic; Lateral: Phrenic, Renal, Gonadal, Lumbar; Terminal: Common iliac arteries.

Masses that can simulate a pulsatile mass include

retroperitoneal tumor, large fibroid uterus, and Paraaortic lymph nodes.

What are the lateral branches off the aorta?

Phrenic, Renal, Gonadal, Lumbar.

Properties assessed during an aortic exam include

diameter, calcification, thrombus, and dissection.

What are clinical reasons for an aortic ultrasound?

Pulsatile abdominal mass, abdominal pain radiating to back, bruit, leg ischemia.

Surgery is considered on an aneurysm when it is >5-6 cm, or if __.

symptomatic.

Where do the majority (95%) of AAA occur?

Infrarenal aorta (below renal arteries).

Risk factors for AAA include

tobacco use, hypertension, vascular disease, COPD, and family history.

Symptoms of AAA?

Palpable abdominal mass, Back pain, Drop in hematocrit (rupture), or asymptomatic.

Is mural thrombus common in aneurysms? __

Yes; mural thrombus is common in larger aneurysms.

What conditions affect the arterial system?

Atheroma, aneurysm, connective tissue disorders, rupture, thrombosis, infections.

Origin of the IVC is the union of the __ veins, posterior to the right common iliac artery.

common iliac and sacral vein

Main purpose of an IVC filter?

Prevent pulmonary emboli in patients who cannot take anticoagulants.

Portal vein drains into __.

Liver.

Purpose of Doppler analysis?

Assess presence/absence of flow, direction, velocity, resistance, turbulence.

What characterizes high-resistance vessels like external carotid, iliac, brachial?

Triphasic waveform with tall systolic peak and little to no diastolic flow.

Do non-resistive vessels have higher diastolic flow? __

Yes; they display a high diastolic component.

SMA resistance before/after eating?

Fasting: high resistance. Postprandial: low resistance with increased diastolic flow.

Flow pattern in the IVC is __ and varies with respiration.

phasic.

What is Budd-Chiari Syndrome?

Thrombosis of hepatic veins causing obstruction of liver outflow; hepatic veins may be echogenic.

Diseases affecting IVC flow include __, tumors (renal cell carcinoma extending into IVC), extrinsic compression.

thrombosis.

Portal hypertension: is portal vein hepatopetal?

Flow may reverse; hepatofugal (away from liver).

Cavernous transformation of portal vein occurs when main portal vein is __.

blocked.

Arterial structure behind the knee.

Popliteal artery.

Vessel posterior to pancreas runs along the __ border of the pancreas.

posteromedial.

Juxtarenal aneurysm defined as?

Aneurysm located next to/at level of renal arteries.

Pseudoaneurysm is a pulsatile hematoma; blood leaks through vessel wall but is contained by tissue (false __).

aneurysm.

Mortality rate for AAA rupture.

Very high - ~50%.

Left gastric branch of the celiac trunk?

Yes, Left gastric is a branch of the celiac trunk.

Splenic vein relationship with pancreas.

Runs along the posteromedial border of the pancreas.

SMV location to pancreas? __; passes posterior to pancreatic neck, anterior to uncinate process.

medial.

Hepatopetal vs Hepatofugal flow.

Hepatopetal toward liver; hepatofugal away from liver (seen in portal hypertension).

Phrenic arteries

Lateral branches off the aorta supplying the diaphragm.

Gonadal arteries

Lateral branches off the aorta supplying the gonads.