Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 aorta, it becomes fatal. Aortic dissection is caused by chronic hypertension; congenital enlarged aorta, like Marfan syndrome or bicuspid aortic value; and traumatic injury to the chest. Symptoms of the disorder include severe pain in the chest and upper back that radiates to the neck and down the side of the back; unconsciousness; shortness of breath; difficulty with speech; paralysis of one side of the body; weak pulse in one arm; and loss of vision. Venous Peripheral venous diseases (PVD) denotes the diseases or disorders from damaging, defect, or blockage in the blood carrying veins so that blood is not circulated from the heart to different parts of the body. It mostly affects the circulation of blood to the feet and hands. A blood clot is the most common cause of PVD. Disorders of PVD are discussed below. Thromboembolic Venous Disease Also known as venous thromboembolism, VTE is a disorder that combines deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT is caused when a blood clot forms in the deep veins in the legs, causing pain and swelling. When the blood clot gets lodged in the artery connecting to the lung and blood flow is blocked, the situation is known as pulmonary embolism. This blood clot is generally developed in the legs and travels to the right ventricle of the heart and then to the lungs. If not treated and occurring frequently, it can lead to the development of long term complications like chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Symptoms of the disorder include acute shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, syncope, impending doom, lower extremity swelling, tenderness, tachypnea, tachycardia, accentuated second heart sound, fever, and cyanosis. Superficial Thrombophlebitis Superficial thrombophlebitis is a circulation disorder. The blood clot is developed just under the skin surface, causing inflammation. It can occur in the arms and neck but it is most common in the legs. Risk factors include varicose veins, catheter or injection in the vein, sedentary position, pregnancy, infection, disorders that lead to blood clots, obesity, smoking, hormone replacement medications, and chemical irritation. Symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis are inflammation of the skin along a vein, warmth of skin and tissue around the vein, tenderness and pain, pain in limbs, hardening of the limb, and darkened skin over the vein area. Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis When a blood clot develops in a vein located deep in the body, it is called deep vein thrombosis. These veins are located within groups of muscles. Veins that are affected by DVT are femoral, popliteal, or pelvis veins. This can be fatal. Causes of are hip, abdominal, or leg surgery, trauma or fracture of bone, sitting at for a long time, cancer, pregnancy, birth control pills, and varicose veins. Symptoms include swelling in legs, pain, warmth in the skin, and discoloration in skin. Achieve Page 61