Atherosclerosis Research Paper

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Atherosclerosis Room 40, a 69-year-old male, presented to a large regional medical center with complaints of severe pain in his right foot and lower leg. His right foot and lower leg were also cool without evidence of pulses. Room 40’s past medical history consists of DM1. He was diagnosed with atherosclerosis in the right popliteal artery after the conduction of an arteriogram. Procedures were performed to relieve the obstructed blood flow caused by atherosclerosis but the foot and lower leg continued to become necrotic and an AKA was ordered. Atherosclerosis will be discussed along with pathogenesis, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tools, and treatment. The pre-existing condition of DM1 will be related to the admitting diagnosis of atherosclerosis. The necrosis in Room 40’s leg and foot was caused by cardiovascular complications due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition caused by a buildup of plaque within the…show more content…
30). First, fatty streaks are yellow discolorations that are present in children and continue to develop until adulthood. The first level appears regardless of age, race and external factors such as geography or nutrition. The growth typically ceases around the age of 20 unless an unhealthy lifestyle promotes further enlargement. Fatty streaks consist of the necrotic core covered by smooth muscle and a fibrous cap. Second, the fibrous atheromatous plaque is a grayish color and is the result of the fatty streaks spreading into the smooth muscle of the vessels. As the fatty streaks continue to grow in length and width, the size of the vessel lumen decreases, resulting in an obstruction of blood flow. The third level of the development of atherosclerosis is complicated lesions. “Complicated lesions contain hemorrhage, ulceration, and scar tissue deposits. Thrombosis is the most important complication of atherosclerosis” (Conelius, 2014, p.

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