Blood vessel injury

Description

Traumatic injuries that damage arteria or vein. These injuries can result in bleeding that could be life-threatening. Tearing, wounds made by knife or wounds from shotguns are the most common causes of blood vessel injury. Treatment depends on the location of the injury. Bigger arteries and arteries which supply vital organs should be treated urgently in order to avoid necrosis of the tissue that was supplied by arteries. Vein are usually not being stitched unless it comes to bigger injury.

Symptoms

Pulsing swelling of the wound, abundant bleeding from the wound, spraying jets of blood from the wound, huge swelling, pale skin of affected area, large bruises.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Sometimes the blood vessels injury can be seen by exam of the wound. Special X-rays could be done to identify injury of the arteria or vein. Following methods are used: angiography, venography, CT angiography and/or MR angiography.

Tests

Angiography, CT angiography, and MR angiography.

Additional analyses

Angiography and venography.

Specialists

Radiology and Vascular Surger

Therapy

Treatment depends on the place of the injury. Some blood vessels do not need any treatment. Big arteries and arteries that supply vital organs require surgical intervention. The surgeon may directly stitch ending of arteria or to use graft for fixing injury of the arteria.