THREE FASCINATING PROCEDURES

Medical Terminology

Anthony Isom, Jr.

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is necessary for treating patients with diseased arteries of the heart.

An example would be atherosclerosis. One of the most common forms of

arteriorsclerosis. Caused by the formation of plaque in the inner

walls of the arteries. Plaque is a yellowish, fatty deposit of lipids in

arteries that reduce and eventually stop blood flow through the arteries overtime.

Procedure

A Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is normally performed by connecting a catheter in an artery in the groin to an artery in need of repair in the heart (this is called a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty).

This procedure is also known as a PTCA, coronary artery balloon dilation or balloon angioplasty).

Blood flow now needs to be initiated through the arteries.

Procedure continued

The artery is still blocked with plaque The balloon must be inflated in order to dilate the artery

and allow blood to flow. An expandable metal stent is often used during this

procedure. The stent slowly releases medication to prevent the

excessive growth of scar tissue. The purpose of the PTCA is to

unblock the arteries allow blood to flow to and from the heart.

This procedure is known as an elective PCI, used to unblock an artery.

Endarterectomy

This surgical Procedure requires the removal of the diseased or damaged inner lining of the artery.

It removes plaque from an artery that has become blocked or narrowed.

This is called atherosclerosis. This term simply means the hardening or stiffening

of arteries. As an individual ages, plaque increases. Plaque consists of cholesterol, calcium, and

fibrous tissue.

Performing A Endarterectomy

An incision is made in the affected artery. The incision will allow the vascular surgeon to

remove the plaque that is blocking the artery inner lining.

The result is an open artery with consistent blood flow.

This procedure is quite invasive, but does restore the necessary blood flow.

Image of a Endarterectomy

The incision

Opening of artery

Plaque removal

Embolectomy

This Surgical Procedure is the removal of an embolus or clot from a blood vessel.

An embolus is a foreign clot that travels through the circulatory system to another location.

This embolus can prevent oxygen from traveling through the bloodstream efficiently.

Procedure

During this procedure the surgeon makes an incision in the skin.

This is to locate the artery or vein that is blocked by the embolus.

Once the embolus is located, the artery is opened.

A special catheter is used to slide down the artery.

The clot is vacuumed using the catheter, while the inflated balloon is used to move the extracted embolus.

Procedure continued

The artery is finally stitched The surgeon ensures that blood is

flowing properly before the skin is closed A embolectomy is a common procedure. Patients tend to make a quick recovery

References

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4454

http://www.medicinenet.com/pulmonary_embolism/article.htm

http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Endarterectomy.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-embolectomy.htm