Surgeries and Medical Procedures

Question 1

what is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Answer 1

procedure used to treat coronary artery disease. a blood vessel is removed from one area of the body and place in the heart around the area of narrowing to bypass the blockage and restore blood flow to the heart muscle

Question 2

what are coronary stents

Answer 2

a tube shaped device is placed in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart to keep the arteries open in the treatment of CAD

Question 3

what is cardiac catherization

Answer 3

a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put in a blood vessel in your arm, groin, or neck and threaded to your heart to determine if there are blockages in the coronary arteries

Question 4

what is cardioversion

Answer 4

an abnormally fast heart rate is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or drugs

Question 5

valve repair or replacement

Answer 5

blood is pumped through your heart in only one direction. heart valves aid this one way blood flow opening and closing with each heartbeat. if a valve is damaged it is repaired or replaced

Question 6

what does a pacemaker do

Answer 6

help control abnormal heart rhythms, uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat normally

Question 7

what is an implantable cardiac defibrillator

Answer 7

a device placed in chest or abdomen if you have irregular heartbeat or at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. sends electrical pulses to the heart when it senses abnormaltities

Question 8

what is the difference between a pacemaker and an implantable cardiac defribillator

Answer 8

an ICD continually monitors heart rhythm and can send low or high energy electrical impulses to correct abnormalities. pacemakers can only send low energy electrical pulses

Question 9

what is cardiac ablation

Answer 9

a catheter is inserted through a vein in the groin and threaded to the heart to correct structural problems in your heart from an arrhythmia

Question 10

what is lithotripsy

Answer 10

ultrasound shock waves used to break kidney stones into small particles that can be passed out by the body through the urethra

Question 11

what is a colostomy

Answer 11

surgical formation of an artificial anus by connecting the colon to an opening in the abdominal for a channel for feces to leave the body

Question 12

what is a gastric bypass

Answer 12

surgical procedure to shrink the size of the stomach so the patient cannot eat as much as they normally do

Question 13

what is an oophorectomy

Answer 13

removal of the ovaries

Question 14

what is a tubal ligation

Answer 14

surgical procedure for sterilization in women. the Fallopian tubes are clamped or blocked

Question 15

what is a vasectomy

Answer 15

a surgical procedure for male sterilization. the vas deferent are severed and then tied to prevent sperm from entering into the seminal stream

Question 16

what is a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Answer 16

removal of part of the prostate, an instrument is inserted up the urethra to remove the section of the prostate that is blocking urine flow

Question 17

what is a carotid endarterectomy

Answer 17

prodecure used to reduce the risk of stroke by correcting narrowing in the carotid artery

Question 18

what is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Answer 18

a surgical procedure that treats a condition called hydrocephalus. this occurs when excess CSF collects in the brains ventricles. the shunt is placed to drain excess fluid

Question 19

what is arteriovenous fistula or dialysis fistula

Answer 19

a fistula is an abnormal connection between an artery and vein. this connection is made for hemodialysis. this connection bypasses the capillaries so blood flows more rapidly

Question 20

what is an arteriovenous graft or dialysis graft

Answer 20

an artificial vessel is used to join the artery and vein. grafts are used when the patients native vasculature does not permit. a fistula

Question 21

what is dialysis

Answer 21

a process of purifying the blood of a person whose kidneys are not working normally

Question 22

what is a peripherally inserted central catheter

Answer 22

a form of intravenous access that can be used for a long time. placed in the upper arm, there is an extension of the PICC line outside the body at all times

Question 23

what is a port-a-cath

Answer 23

an IV catheter that is surgically implanted and placed underneath the skin near the clavicle. used for frequent administration of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, antibiotics. no extension outside the body

Question 24

what is an inferior vena cava filter (AKA a Greenfield filter)

Answer 24

a type of vascular filter that is implanted into the IVC to trap blood clots and prevent them from traveling to the heart and lungs

Question 25

what is arthroplasty

Answer 25

a surgical procedure to restore the integrity and function of a joint