Glossary

Abdominal aorta: Portion of the aorta running from the diaphragm to the pelvis; several branches feed vital organs.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: The ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the body’s largest artery, caused by the weakening of the arterial wall; rupture results in life-threatening internal bleeding.
Angina: Chest pain caused by restricted blood flow and, therefore, oxygen supply to the heart.
Aneurysm: A “ballooning” of a blood vessel, usually an artery; the result of plaque weakening the wall of an artery, then blood pressure causing the artery to balloon out and the artery wall to become dangerously thin.
Angiography: Test procedure whereby a special dye (or other contrast material) is inserted into blood vessels to better track the flow of blood; resulting images are called angiograms.
Angioplasty: Procedure whereby a balloon-tipped catheter is passed through a blockage in an artery, and inflated to compress the plaque build-up against the artery wall; thereby, reopening the narrowed artery.
Anticoagulant: Any substance which inhibits clotting of the blood.
Aorta: Largest artery in the body originating at the heart’s left ventricle; carries oxygen-rich blood to body’s organs and tissue.
Aortic insufficiency: Aortic valve in the heart has problems closing and blood leaks back through the valve.
Aortic stenosis: Heart valve that doesn’t open all the way, inhibiting the flow of blood.
Aortic valve: Flap-like structure connecting left ventricle of the heart to the aorta.
Arteriography: A special x-ray technique uses dye that is injected through a catheter inserted in an artery in the leg or arm.
Arteriole: The smallest branch of an artery that connects with the capillaries.
Arteritis: Inflammation of an artery.
Artery: A blood vessel carrying blood from the heart.
Atherectomy: Procedure wherein a catheter with a grinding device is used to clear away plaque blocking an artery.
Atherosclerosis: A progressive narrowing and “hardening” of the arteries; caused when plaques develop in the wall of arteries, due to the accumulation of cholesterol and other fats, and reduce blood flow.
Balloon angioplasty: Catheter with a balloon at its tip is inserted into a blocked artery; the balloon is expanded to widen the artery, allowing blood flow; the catheter is then removed.
Blood clot: A semi-solid gel-like material (a mix of blood cells, platelets and fibrin); this natural product of blood coagulation is necessary to stem bleeding at a wound site.
Blood pressure: Pressure exerted by blood on blood vessel walls, especially arteries.
Brain aneurysm: A ballooning of an artery in the brain.
Bruit: (brew-ee) - The sound blood makes when it rushes in a rough or turbulent manner through an artery partially blocked by plaque.
Capillaries: Smallest of all blood vessels, connects the smallest of all arteries and veins; semi-permeable, enabling blood nutrients to flow through to tissue, and waste products to flow back to the blood for disposal.
Cardiologist: A physician who specializes in disorders of the heart.
Cardiovascular disease: Any disease related to the heart and blood vessels thereof; coronary artery disease being most common.
Carotid endarterectomy: Most common surgical procedure for carotid artery blockages; carotid artery is exposed, blood is shunted around blocked area, plaque is removed, artery is stitched shut.
Cholesterol: Necessary for metabolism, a fatty substance produced by the body and present in foods derived from animals; excessive levels contribute significantly to atherosclerosis.
Claudication: Pain when walking due to blocked arteries in the groin or upper leg.
Coagulation: Process by which blood thickens to form a clot.
Coronary artery disease: Usually caused by artherosclerosis, a progressive condition which reduces blood flow to the heart.
CT: Computed Tomography - the CT or “CAT” scan produces a series of cross-sectional x-rays of the head or body.
Deep vein thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot within a vein of the pelvis or leg; depending on clot size, it may obstruct blood flow leading to serious complications.
Diabetes: A disorder of the body’s metabolism characterized by inadequate use and secretion of insulin, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by excessive thirst, hunger and weight loss.
Doppler and Duplex Tests: During a Doppler ultrasound evaluation, a doctor or trained technician uses a special stethoscope to listen for changes in the sound of blood flow; Duplex imaging includes a Doppler evaluation but also uses sound waves bounced off red blood cells to create an image showing the size and shape of a blood vessel and the blood flowing through it.
DSA: Digital Subtraction Angiography - creates computer images after dye is inserted through a catheter.
Embolectomy: Surgical removal of a blood clot, which after circulating in the bloodstream became lodged in a blood vessel.
Emboli: Circulating particles or blood clots, often blocking blood vessels and causing TIAs or stroke.
Embolic stroke: Caused by a piece of plaque or clot floating in bloodstream that lodges in a blood vessel.
Embolism: Sudden blockage of an artery or vein by a blood clot that traveled through the blood stream from a different point of origin.
Endovascular surgery: Relatively new, less invasive surgery whereby surgeons enter the body through blood vessels rather than through a large incision.
Femoral artery: Main artery of the thigh; supplies blood to lower extremities.
Fusiform aneurysm: An aneurysm bulging from all sides of an artery.
Giant aneurysm: Extremely large ballooning in an artery, or an aneurysm involving more than one artery.
Heart attack or “myocardial infarction”: Occurs when reduced blood supply causes a portion of the heart muscle to die; often because a plaque buildup breaks down and a blood clot forms in a narrowed area of the artery.
Heart failure: A chronic, progressive condition in which the heart gradually loses it ability to pump blood; as a result, the body’s organs and tissue fail to receive sufficient oxygen.
Hematoma: Typically a blood clot formed by blood which has leaked from a blood vessel.
Hemmorrhagic stroke: When a blood vessel tears, allowing blood to spill into nearby tissue, killing cells.
Hydrocephalus: Enlarged ventricles (open spaces in the brain) caused by blood from a torn aneurysm and blocking the cerebrospinal fluid which cushions the brain.
Hypertension: Technical term for “high blood pressure”; usually a persistent reading of 140/90 (systolic/diastolic) or higher.
Hypoxia: A reduction in the amount of oxygen reaching tissue, despite sufficient blood flow.
Iiliac arteries: At the navel, the aorta splits into the two iliac arteries that transport blood into the pelvis and each leg.
Ischemic stroke: Most common type of stroke, usually when plaque buildup or blood clots block or severely narrow a blood vessel.
Kidney failure: Also known as “renal failure”, the kidney’s inability to adequately filter waste materials from the blood.
Mitral valve prolapse: Most common heart valve problem where the valve bulges slightly back into the atrium when it closes allowing a tiny amount of blood to leak.
MRA: Magnetic Resonance Angiography - uses a large cylinder (large enough for an entire body to pass through) to take pictures of blood vessels.
Mycotic aneurysm: A ballooned artery caused by an infected artery wall.
Mecrosis: Death of tissue typically caused by injury, disease or insufficient blood supply.
Nuclear medicine imaging: A diagnostic scan taken after a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein.
Plaque: Typically a deposit of fat and cholesterol on the inner wall of a blood vessel; building gradually over time, it can lead to coronary artery disease; plaque build-up is the basic cause of atherosclerosis.
Platelets: Disk-shaped cells produced in the bone marrow and released into the blood; important for coagulation and repair of breaks in blood vessel walls.
Pulmonary artery: An artery which carries oxygen-depleted blood (an exception to the rule) from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary embolism: The result of a circulating blood clot becoming lodged in a pulmonary artery.
Pulmonary vein: A vein which returns oxygen-rich blood (an exception to the rule) from the lungs to the left side of the heart.
Renal arteries: Branches of the aorta that carry oxygen-rich blood to the kidneys.
Saccular aneurysm: A “bulge” on one side of an artery.
Sepsis: The presence of infection-causing organisms in the blood.
Statins: A class of drugs that reduce cholesterol in the blood.
Stent: Small metal coil or mesh tube inserted into an artery to prevent the artery from re-narrowing (“restenosis”).
Stroke: Sudden loss of brain function due to a artery blockage or rupture depriving the brain of oxygen; often results from a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.
Superficial vein: A vein lying close to the surface of the skin.
Thoracic aorta: That portion of the aorta descending through the chest cavity.
Thrombus: A blood clot originating inside and attached to a blood vessel wall; often obstructing blood flow.
Thrombectomy: Surgical removal of a blood clot in a blood vessel.
Thrombosis: Formation or presence of platelet aggregate and clotted blood inside a blood vessel or heart cavity (“coronary thrombosis”).
TIA: Transient Ischemic Attack - a temporary episode lasting seconds to an hour but usually causing no lasting damage; symptoms may include: weakness, numbing, tingling or loss of feeling in face, arm or leg; trouble seeing or double vision; slurred speech or problems understanding others; sudden, severe headache; dizziness or spinning feeling; lost of balance; blackouts.
Triglycerides: Either ingested or produced in the liver, a large portion of the fatty substance found in the blood; like cholesterol, excessive levels contribute to atherosclerosis.
Ultrasound: A test using sound waves to form an image of an area or blood vessel.
Valve: A flap-like structure which by opening and closing allows a fluid to move in one direction only; valves help regulate blood flow.
Varicose vein: A vein which is swollen and/or twisted; most often seen in the superficial veins of the leg.
Vascular disease: Any disease of the circulatory (vascular - veins and arteries) system.
Vascular surgeon: A physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of blood vessels.
Vein: A blood vessel through which (with exception of the pulmonary veins) oxygen-depleted blood returns to the heart.
Vena cava: The two large veins that return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.
Venous stasis: Abnormal reduction of blood flow through veins, especially those of the lower extremities.
Ventricle: One of two lower chambers in the heart which circulate blood to the lungs (right ventricle) for oxygen replenishment, or to the rest of the body (left ventricle) via the arteries.