Chap 8 Procedures | Chap 8 Procedures & Meanings |
cardiac catheterization | passage of a catheter into the heart through a vein or artery to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the heart |
electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) | graphic line recording that shows the spread of electrical excitation to different parts of the heart using small metal electrodes applied to the chest, arms, and legs |
Holter monitor test | electrocardiogram (ECG) taken with a small portable recording system capable of storing up to 24 hours of ECG tracings |
stress test | ECG taken under controlled exercise stress conditions |
nuclear stress test | utilizes a radioscope to evaluate coronary blood flow |
cardiac enzyme studies | blood test that measures troponin T, troponin I, and creatine kinase (CK-MB) |
lipid panel | series of test (total cholesterol high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and triglycerides) used to assess risk factors of ischemic heart disease |
aortography | radiological examination of the aorta and its branches following the injection of a contrast medium via a catheter |
coronary angiography | radiological examination of the blood vessels of and around the heart |
echocardiography | noninvasive diagnostic method that uses ultrasound to visualize internal cardiac structures and produce images of the heart |
Doppler ultrasound cardiography | noninvasive adaptation of ultrasound technology in which blood flow velocity is assessed in different areas of the heart |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | noninvasive imaging technique that uses radiowaves and a strong magnetic field rather than an x-ray beam to produce multiplanar cross-sectional images |
magnetic resonance angiography | magnetic resonance imaging technique used to visualize vascular structures |
phonocardiography | imaging technique that provides a graphic display of heart sounds and murmurs during the cardiac cycle |
subtraction angiography | imaging technique used to display soft tissue structures such as blood vessels without the confusing overlay of bone images |
scintigraphy | injection and subsequent detection of radioactive isotopes to create images of body parts and identify body functions and diseases |
scintigraphy thallium study (resting) | scintigraphy procedure that identifies infarcted or scarred areas of the heart that show up as "cold spots" (areas of reduced radioactivity), taken when the patient is at rest |
venography | radiography of a vein after injection of a contrast medium; incomplete filling of a vein indicates obstruction |
cardioversion | process of restoring the normal rhythmof the heart by applying a controlled electrical shock to the exterior of the chest |
embolization | technique used to block blood flow to a site by passing a catheter to the area and injecting a synthetic material or medication specially designed to occlude the blood vessel |
angioplasty | procedure that alters a vessel through surgery or dilation of the vessel using a balloon catheter |
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) | surgical procedure that uses a vesel graft from another part of the body to bypass the blocked part of a coronary artery and restore blood supply to the heart muscle |
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) | dilation of an occluded vessel using catheter under fluoroscopic guidance |
atherectomy | removal of material from an occluded vessel using a specially designed catheter fitted with a cutting or grinding device |
biopsy | removal and examination of a small piece of tissue for diagnostic purposes |
arterial biopsy | removal and examination of a segment of an arterial vessel wall to confirm inflammation of the wall or arteritis, a type of vaculitis |
catheter ablation | destruction of conductive tissue of the heart to interrupt abnormal contractions, thus allowing normal heart rhythm to resume |
commissurotomy | surgical seperation of the leaflets of the mitral valve, which have fused together at their "commissures" (points of touching) |
laser ablation | procedure used to remove and treat varicose veins |
ligation and stripping | tying a varicose vein (ligation) followed by removal (stripping) of the affected segment |
open heart surgery | surgical procedure performed on or within the exposed heart, usually with the assistance of a heart-lung machine |
pericardiocentesis | punturing of the pericardium to remove fluid to test for protein, sugar, and enzymes or determine the causative organism of pericarditis |
phlebotomy | incision or puncture of a vein to remove blood or introduce fluids or medications |
thrombolysis | destruction of a blood clot using anticlotting agents called "clotbusters" such as tissue plasminogen activator |
intravascular thrombolysis | infusion of a thrombolytic agent into a vessel to dissolve a blood clot |
valvotomy | incision of a valve to increase the size of the opening; used in treating mitral stenosis |
venipuncture | puncture of a vein by a needle attached to a syringe or catheter to withdraw a specimen of blood, perform a phlebotomy, instill a medication, start an intravenous infusion, or inject a radiopaque substance for radiological examination |