Sam's diagnosis is Segmental Arterial Mediolysis (SAM).
Understanding Segmental Arterial Mediolysis (SAM)
SAM is a rare and poorly understood disease. It affects the arteries, specifically the middle layer (media) of the artery walls.
Key Characteristics of SAM:
- Nonatherosclerotic: It is not related to plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Noninflammatory: It doesn't involve inflammation of the artery walls.
- Arterial Medial Degeneration: The primary issue is the degeneration of the medial layer of the arteries.
How SAM Manifests:
According to the provided reference, SAM can lead to several arterial issues:
- Aneurysm: Bulging or weakening of the arterial wall.
- Dissection: Tearing of the layers of the arterial wall.
- Stenosis: Narrowing of the arteries.
- Bleeding: Resulting from rupture or weakening of the arterial walls.
Affected Arteries:
- SAM commonly affects visceral arteries which supply the abdominal organs.
- Renal arteries which supply the kidneys, can also be affected.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Nature | Nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory |
| Cause | Degeneration of arterial medial layer |
| Symptoms | Aneurysm, dissection, stenosis, bleeding |
| Affected Arteries | Visceral and renal arteries |
In summary, SAM is characterized by the breakdown of the middle layer of arterial walls, leading to various complications like aneurysm, dissection, stenosis or bleeding.
