Heart & Vascular Disease Medical Procedures

Question 1

Balloon Angioplasty

Answer 1

temporary insertion of small balloon-tipped catheter into stenotic artery
balloon expands @ site of blockage to widen narrowed artery
usually combined w/ stent to help prop open & decrease chance of restenosis (recurrence of abnormal narrowing of an artery)

Question 2

Cardiac Pacemaker

Answer 2

surgically implanted battery-powered device placed into left anterior chest wall
standard Tx for conditions affecting electrical conduction system (slow HR/ arrhythmias)
can treat fatigue, lightheadedness, and fainting

Question 3

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)

Answer 3

attempts to re-vascularize myocardium by re-routing pt’s affected artery using part of greater saphenous vein/ internal thoracic/mammary artery/ radial artery to connect above & below site of blockage

Question 4

Heart Transplant

Answer 4

a failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthier donor heart
transplant is reserved for pt w/ end-stage heart failure for whom other Tx have not been successful
ex: pt’s with cardiomyopathy/ coronary artery disease/ valvular disease/ congential heart disease

Question 5

Ventricular Assistive Devices

Answer 5

miniature pump implanted in chest that provides ventricular mechanical  support
Right VAD (RVAD): attaches to R Atrium & pulmonary artery, bypassing R ventricle
Left VAD (LVAD): attaches to L atrium, bypassing L ventricle
used to treat those awaiting heart transplant/ heart failure