A
Angioplasty-after a catheter has been placed in the patient's blood
vessel (usually in the leg) a small guide wire is inserted into the
narrowed blood vessel in the heart which is needing repair. A
balloon is threaded along this guide wire to the site of the narrowed
artery. This balloon is then expanded slightly to compress the
plaque and debris along this artery's wall. This compression opens
the artery up again to restore normal blood flow to an area
previously deprived.
C
Cardiac Catherization-a procedure whereby the inner thigh is numbed
and a catheter is inserted through one of the main blood vessels of
the upper leg. This catheter allows the insertion of a small probe
which is ran through the blood vessel until it reaches the heart. At
this point, many procedures can take place depending upon the nature
of things found in the patient's heart and surrounding
vessels. Typically an x-ray device is used to monitor the location
of the probe within the patient's heart or blood vessels.
Chest X-Ray-in this procedure, a patient is positioned between an
x-ray emitter device and a plate which houses x-ray sensitive
film. When the patient is appropriately positioned for the image to
be taken, the x-ray technician will move to a shielded area and
expose the patient for a fraction of a second by the x-ray
emitter. This triggers a chemical reaction in the film, much like
visible light does to regular film for a camera. After the film is
developed, the physician can determine many things about the size,
shape, orientation, and condition of the heart in order to better
diagnose certain circumstances.
Coronary Angioplasty-the compression of the plaque buildup of one of
the main arteries which supply blood to the muscle tissue of the
heart.
Coronary Atherectomy-this procedure begins like a catherization but
it carries with it a small cutting or grinding device which clears
the blockage in an artery.
Coronary Stents-one of the procedures possible during a cardiac
catherization. In this process, it is possible to insert a small
metallic cylinder which stretches a narrowed blood vessel. Once
placed, the stent can hold this vessel open in order to restore and
maintain blood supply past this narrowed area.
E
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)-a procedure whereby the electrical
activity in the heart is measured and its results are printed on
graph paper for evaluation. The process includes the patient having
several "leads" which detect electrical signals attached to several
places on his or her cheat and appendages. As these leads measure
the hearts activity, a wave is printed on the paper to represent the
heart's activity in real time.
N
Nuclear Scanning-administering a radioactive element or compound into
the bloodstream of a patient to determine the condition of tissue in
areas of interest. Thallium, for example, is used in imaging
coronary blood vessels. It will show heavy concentrations with
healthy cells, but reduced presence where there is lowered blood
flow or cells which have already died.
P
Pulse-Oximetry-this test involves placing a finger in a small
clothes-pin shaped apparatus. The finger is then scanned to
determine the individual's pulse and the amount of oxygen in their
bloodstream. This test is usually done if the patient is out of
breath, has trouble breathing, or other such circumstances.
R
Renal Scan-this is a type of nuclear scanning in which an isotope is
injected into the patient so that their blood stream is
detectable. Then their are scanned to see if there is sufficient
blood flow to the kidney region. Renal insufficiency can be a
leading cause of high blood pressure.
T
Treadmill Testing-Several of our procedures require this test. When
scanning the heart, either by using radioactive isotopes or by using
an ultrasound, it is sometimes necessary to see the heart in two
different states. The first state is simply as the heart is without
any stress or exertion. The treadmill test is done to tax the
patient's heart so that it works more strenuously. The allows the
physician or the technician to view the heart under different
conditions. Many times, a problem may be detectable when the heart
is being stressed as opposed to its restful state.
Thallium Test-there are two general types of these tests. One
requires the patient to be stressed, as in the treadmill test, and
the other does not. Whichever is used, the patient is injected with
a radioactive isotope of thallium. This substance can be detected
by a scanning device and tell areas of the heart which are not
receiving ample blood supply.
U
Ultrasonography-in this procedure sound waves are sent into the
tissues of the body. A computer is used to make a visual image of
the interior of the body based on the reflected sound waves.
