An atherectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances (plaque) from the inside of an artery. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A buildup of plaque in the arteries can block blood flow. In this procedure, plaque […]
Tag Archives: Cardiovascular
Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a condition that happens when the subclavian artery is squeezed or compressed. The subclavian artery is the artery that carries blood from the heart to the arm and hand. To reach the arm, this artery must pass through the thoracic outlet, which is a tight space under the collarbone […]
Arterial plethysmography is a test that measures the blood flow in the arteries of the arms and legs. You may have this test to: Check for a blockage in an artery (arterial occlusive disease). Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Monitor treatment of arterial occlusive disease. Help diagnose a blood […]
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a heart problem in which muscle tissue in the lower right chamber (ventricle) of the heart is replaced with fat and scar tissue. Over time, this condition can cause the right ventricle to weaken and to not pump blood well. Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can also develop. Arrhythmias can be […]
Overview What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. When the heart beats too fast, it’s called tachycardia. When it beats too slow, it’s called bradycardia. An arrhythmia can also mean that your heart beats irregularly (skips a beat or has an extra beat). Symptoms What are the […]
An aortofemoral bypass is a surgery to change the way that blood flows through the upper legs or abdomen. This is a major surgery. You may have this surgery if blood vessels in your upper legs or abdomen are blocked, damaged, or too narrow, and blood cannot move through them well. During the surgery, an […]
Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. The aortic valve opens and closes to regulate blood flow between the left side of the heart (left ventricle) and the artery that leads away from the heart (aorta). When the aortic valve becomes narrow, it is difficult for the heart to […]
Aortic valve regurgitation is a condition that happens when the aortic valve does not close all the way. The aortic valve is a gate-like structure between the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle) and the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the rest of the body (aorta). The aortic valve opens when […]
Aortic dissection happens when there is a tear in the wall of the body’s main blood vessel (aorta). The aorta leads out of the heart (ascending aorta), curves around, and then goes down the chest (descending aorta) and into the abdomen to supply arteries with blood. The wall of the aorta has inner and outer […]
Injectable blood thinners (anticoagulants) are medicines to help prevent and treat blood clots. Injectable anticoagulant medicines are given with a single-use syringe that already has medicine inside it (prefilled syringe). You inject the medicine through a needle into the layer of fat and tissue between skin and muscle (subcutaneous) in the left or right area […]