Chapter 30 - Vascular and Microvascular Surgery

Aneurysm

Ballooning of an artery as a result of weakening of the arterial wall. It may be caused by atherosclerosis, infection, or an anatomical defect in the vascular system

Angioplasty

Restoration of blood flow to a blocked artery using endovascular techniques

Arteriosclerosis

A disease characterized by thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial wall

Arteriotomy

An incision made in an artery

Atherosclerosis

The most common form of arteriosclerosis, which causes plaque to form on the inner surface of an artery

Bifurcation

The Y-shape of an artery or graft

Doppler duplex ultrasonography

A type of ultrasonography that produces a visual image of blood flow

Embolus

A moving substance in the vascular system

Endarterectomy

The surgical removal of plaque from inside an artery

Endovascular

Refers to the interior of a blood vessel

Hemodialysis

A process in which blood is shunted out of the body and passed through a complex set of filters for the treatment of severe renal disease and as an emergency procedure in cases of acute poisoning

Hemodynamic

Referring to the pressure, flow, and resistance in the cardiovascular system

Hybrid operating room

A specially equipped operating room designed to perform endovascular and open surgical procedures

In situ

In the natural position or normal place, without disturbing or invading surrounding tissues

Infarction

A blockage in an artery that may lead to tissue ischemia and tissue death

Intimal hyperplasia

A thickening of the innermost layer of a vessel as a result of long-term central line placement, graft placement, or other interventions that stimulate the overgrowth of intima

Intravascular ultrasound

A diagnostic tool in which a transducer is introduced into an artery, and ultrasound is used to translate the physical characteristics of the lumen into a visible image

Ischemia

The decrease in or absence of blood supply to a localized area, usually related to vascular obstruction

Lumen

The inside of a hollow structure, such as a blood vessel

Microsurgery

Surgery performed using microscopic techniques, instrument and imaging technology in a variety of different surgical specialties

Percutaneous

Literally, "through the skin". In a percutaneous approach in surgery, an incision is not made; rather, a catheter or other device is introduced through a puncture site

Stent

A tubular device placed inside a vessel to provide support and to prevent stricture

Thrombus

Any organic or nonorganic material blocking an artery

Umbilical tapes

Lengths of cotton mesh tape used to loop around a blood vessel for retraction

Venous stasis

Pooling of blood in the veins caused by inactivity or disease. Stasis can cause distention of the veins

Vessel loop

A device used to retract a vessel during surgery. A length of thin Silasctic tubing or cotton tape (umbilical tape) is passed around the vessel. The ends can be threaded through a bolster (a 1/8- to 1/4-inch [0.3- to 0.6 cm] length of rubber or Silastic tubing) to secure the loop against the blood vessel