Case Study: Cardiovascular and Respiratory - Essay Example

4. Carl has hypertension. Various studies have demonstrated the association between hypertension and aortic aneurysm (Lee, Fowkes, Carson et al, 1996). Increasing hypertension can worsen aneurysm and cause rupture which has 100% mortality (Pearce, 2008). To diagnose aortic aneurysm, imaging tests are useful. Traditionally, angiography is the diagnostic criteria for aortic aneurysm. However, currently other modalities are being used to detect aortic aneurysm. Abdominal ultrasound is useful to determine the presence, size and extent of the aneurysm.

It is cheap and useful to monitor aneurysms which are small and do not require surgical intervention. CT scan is a better test and helps define the anatomy of the lesion better. CT scan also helps in the evaluation of other information necessary to perform surgery like length of the aortic neck, location of the renal arteries and condition of the iliac arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging gives a 3-dimentional assessment of the problem. Dr Hobert could used magnetic resonance angiography. This test provides an excellent anatomical definition of the aneurysm.

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography magnetic angiography gives good quality of the images (Pearce, 2008). 4. After the results of the above test, Dr. Hobert decides that Carl should start taking 10mg Benzapril daily. Create a flow chart of the pathway that Benzapril will inhibit noting where in the pathway Benzapril acts. What symptoms is Dr. Hobert treating with the administration of Benzapril? Benzapril is used to treat hypertension. It is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or ACE inhibitor.

ACE inhibitors are a class of drugs which act on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or RAAS. The system starts with release of renin which cleaves liver-derived angiotensinogen into angiotensin I. This is then converted to angiotensin II via the ACE.