PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT

• The blood vessels in both systems channel the blood from the heart to the tissues and back to the heart
• Arteries

  → thick-walled structures that carry blood from the heart to the tissues
• Aorta→ Smaller arteries→ Arterioles
• Resistance vessels

  → Regulate the volume and pressure in the arterial system and rate of blood flow to the capillaries
• Capillaries

  → Thin-walled structure that permits rapid and efficient transport of nutrients to the cells and removal of metabolic wastes.
• Capillaries

  → Site of exchange

  → Changes in size are influenced by contractile changes in the blood vessels.

  → Formed by joined venules (which is formed by joined capillaries)

  → Distend more compared to arteries

  → Has one-way bicuspid valves that prevent blood from seeping backward.
• SYSTEMATIC CIRCULATION SYSTEM

  → Oxygen to all body cells and carries away wastes

  → Oxygenated blood pumped to all body tissues via aorta

  → Deoxygenated blood returns to heart via venae cavae
• PULMONARY CIRCULATION

  → Eliminates carbon dioxide via the lungs and oxygenate the blood

  → Oxygenated blood returns to heart via pulmonary veins
• Arteries - Blood Away from Heart
• Arteries - higher pressure
• Arteries - thicker: tunica media thicker than tunica externa
• Arteries - smaller lumen
• Arteries - no valves
• Veins - Blood to Heart
• Veins - lower pressure
• Veins - THINNER: Tunica externa thicker than tunica media
• Veins - larger lumen
• Veins - One-way bicuspid valves
• Lymphedema – happens if there is insufficient drainage of lymph fluids
• Venous obstruction – vein cannot facilitate blood return
• Raynaud’s disease - white discoloration, arterial insufficiency ( arteries do not deliver enough oxygenated blood)
• Buerger’s dse. – inflammation of blood vessels and common in male, Compartment Syndrome Scleroderma Arterial occlusion Arteriosclerosis Absent / Diminished
• Scleroderma

  → Thickening of skin and blood vessels
• Compartment syndrome

  → a painful build up of pressure around your muscles due to ruptured blood vessel