ANEURYSMAL DISEASEANEURYSMAL 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 DISEASEANEURYSMAL 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