ANEURYSMAL DISEASE GEMP I Centre for Health Science Education Station 4

Station Learning Objectives Understand the pathogenesis of atheroma and atherosclerotic aneurysms differentiate between true & false aneurysms

ANEURYSMAL DISEASE DEFN: abnormal dilatation of arterial walls

Aneurysmal Disease Aneurysms can be classified according to: aetiology - degenerative, inflammatory, mechanical, congenital, dissecting shape - saccular, fusiform location - central, peripheral, sphlancnic, renal cerebral structure - true, false

–TRUE aneurysms: dilatation of normal artery to at least twice its normal size involves all 3 layers of vessel wall degeneration of media & lamina elastica –FALSE aneurysms: pulsatile haematoma confined by fibrous capsule NOT vessel wall usually due to trauma or leakage from an anastamotic site

Aneurysmal Disease Atherosclerotic aneurysms are the most commonly seen aneurysms & occur in decreasing frequency in the following vessels distal abdominal aorta Iliac arteries popliteal arteries common femoral artery arch & descending thoracic aorta carotid arteries other peripheral arteries

AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysms distal abdominal aorta Iliac arteries popliteal arteries common femoral artery arch & descending thoracic aorta carotid arteries other peripheral arteries