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Question 433
Pathology → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
A patient has widespread atherosclerotic disease involving large and medium-sized muscular arteries. Which clinical event is a recognised direct consequence of this pathological process?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Acute myocardial infarction from coronary arterial disease
B
Subarachnoid haemorrhage from a congenital berry aneurysm
C
Generalised lymphadenopathy
D
Pulmonary embolism arising from a deep venous thrombus
E
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Explanation
Atherosclerosis produces intimal fibrofatty plaques in large and medium-sized muscular arteries. Recognised consequences include coronary ischaemic disease with angina or myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, aneurysm and mesenteric vascular occlusion.
Option Validity
B) Berry aneurysm is associated with an abnormality of the arterial media and is specifically distinguished from an atheromatous lesion.
C) Generalised lymphadenopathy is not a consequence of atherosclerotic arterial disease.
D) Pulmonary embolism usually arises from venous thrombosis and is not a direct consequence of arterial atherosclerosis.
E) Disseminated intravascular coagulation represents widespread activation of coagulation rather than a direct complication of atherosclerosis.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 5: Pathology. General Pathology, pp.161–175.