Syphilitic Arterial Disease
1.Syphilitic
is a sexually transmitted disease. It causes a chronic inflammation of the
vessel wall.
2.That
results is weakening of the vessel wall.
3.Fibrous
tissue gets deposited on the damaged area.
4.Pressure
of the blood in the vessel results in distention of the vessel wall. It is called an aneurysm.
5.Aortic
aneurysm may be so large that it may compress other organs in the thorax, the
effects of which are shown in the following table:-
|
Structure
compressed |
Effects |
|
Trachea |
Distressing
cough. |
|
Oesophagus |
Difficulty
in swallowing. |
|
Ribs |
Severe local
pain. |
Investigations
1.X-ray
chest: Enlargement of aortic shadow.
2
.Echocardiography.
3.Doppler
ultrasonography.
Treatment
1.Aneurysm
cannot be treated with drugs. Its cause however should be treated, eg. syphilis, before treating the aneurysm
surgically.
2.Surgical
treatment of an aneurysm is shown in the preceding diagram.
Thrombosis and Embolism
1.It is
characterized by clotting of blood in an artery and the clot adhering to the
vessel wall.
2.It is
less common than venous thrombosis, and is found only in a few selected
arteries. That is because of the forceful flow in the arterial, which prevents
stagnation of blood.
3.Arteriosclerosis
predisposes to arterial thrombosis.
4.It can
also be seen due to trauma to arteries.
Types of Arterial Thrombosis
|
Type |
Cause |
|
Coronary
thrombosis |
Arteriosclerosis. |
|
Cerebral
thrombosis |
Syphilis. |
|
Deep vein
thrombosis in leg |
Old age, obesity,
incompetent valves. |
Thrombosis of Lower Limbs
1.A
blood clot occludes a partially, occluded blood vessel totally.
2.That
results in cessation of blood supply to parts beyond the site of obstruction.
3.The
function of the part continues due to the presence of collateral circulation.
4.Its
clinical features are as follows:-
.Intermittent claudication: there
is pain in the lower limbs on walking a
certain distance, which is relieved by rest.
.The limb feels cold.
.The arterial pulsation are not
felt in the limb.
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