ACAS Study: The “Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study”. A multi-center, prospective, randomized trial comparing carotid surgery to medical treatment of asymptomatic patients with carotid artery narrowing due to plaque. Published in 1995, the results of this study demonstrated the superiority of surgical treatment over medical treatment for such patients.
Aorta: The main artery in the body from which all of the other arteries arise. It begins at the heart and extends down through the chest and abdomen and finally branches in the lower abdomen into the arteries that go to the legs.
Aneurysm: A balloon-like widening of a portion of an artery that is a weak point along the course of the vessel which may lead to rupture.
Angiogram: A procedure in which a liquid is injected into an artery or vein. The liquid dye is seen using x-ray equipment and abnormalities of the blood vessels (such as blockages) are visualized.
Anticoagulation: "Thinning" the blood to prevent the development of blood clots.
Arteries: The blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all parts of the body.
Atherosclerosis: Sometimes referred to as "hardening of the arteries". This condition is basically an accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the inner lining of an artery that can build up to such a degree that the artery becomes stenotic (i.e. narrowed) or occluded (i.e. completely blocked).
Balloon angioplasty: A technique in which a thin catheter, that has an inflatable balloon on its tip, is inserted into an artery. Under x-ray control, the catheter is guided into the narrowed portion of an artery where atherosclerotic plaque has accumulated. The balloon is inflated and the plaque is crushed and flattened to restore the lumen of the artery and permit blood to flow more freely.
Bypass: An operation in which blood is re-routed around a blocked portion of an artery.
Carotid artery: An artery in the neck that carries blood to the brain.
Carotid endarterectomy: A surgical procedure in which the carotid artery is opened and the accumulated plaque is removed to eliminate a source of stroke.
Claudication: Leg pain (usually the calf, but sometimes the thigh) which is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. The pain is brought on by leg exercise such as walking.
Compression stockings: Stockings worn to decrease leg swelling and relieve pain associated with conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency.
Coumadin: A pill form of anticoagulant (blood thinner). The generic term is warfarin.
CT scan: An x-ray technique allowing visualization of the internal organs.
Diabetes Mellitus: A condition associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and complications such as arterial insufficiency, kidney failure and visual loss.
Endovascular surgery: Correction of conditions affecting arteries and veins by approaching the lesion from within the blood vessel using catheters, balloons and stents rather than by making an incision into the blood vessel. A less invasive form of surgery than the standard operative approach.
Endograft: A fabric covered metallic stent that is placed inside an aneurysm to prevent rupture. It is not sutured into the artery but rather relies on the metallic stent to keep the prosthetic artery in place within the aneurysm.
Femoral artery: The blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart and lungs into the leg.
Femoral vein: The blood vessel that carries blood out of the leg and back to the heart and lungs.
Femoropopliteal bypass: A surgical bypass created in the leg to carry blood around a blockage in the femoral artery.
Gangrene: Death of tissue due to lack of adequate circulation.
Heparin: An injectable form of anticoagulant (blood thinner).
ICAVL-Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Labs: An agency that evaluates and grants accreditation to vascular laboratories.
Intestinal angina: Pain in the abdomen that occurs after eating. It is caused by inadequate circulation to the small intestine.
Ischemia: Inadequate arterial blood flow to a portion of the body. For example: leg ischemia, brain ischemia, cardiac ischemia.
Lymphedema: Swelling of an extremity (arm or leg) due to blockage of the normal flow of lymph from an extremity.
MRA: Magnetic Resonance Angiography. A technique used to visualize blood vessels in a non-invasive manner.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An imaging technique using magnetic technology to visualize internal organs.
PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease): This is a blockage of the arteries in the legs caused by an accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque
Plaque : A deposit of fats and cholesterol within the lining of an artery. Usually referred to as atherosclerotic plaque.
Prosthetic Graft : An artificial artery that can be manufactured using Dacron, PTFE (e.g. "Gore-Tex") or some other synthetic fabric-like material.
Pseudoaneurysm : A balloon-like widening of a portion of an artery that is a weak point along the course of the vessel and may lead to rupture. It is caused by an injury to the blood vessel.
Pulmonary Embolus : A blood clot in the artery to the lung. The clot frequently develops in the lower extremity at the site of thrombophlebitis and moves ("embolizes") to the lung.
RVT - Registered Vascular Technologist: A vascular technologist who has successfully completed a rigorous examination in the specialty of vascular diagnostic testing.
Sclerotherapy : A technique of injecting a solution into varicose veins which causes the vein to close and shrink.
Stent : A cylindrical metallic device that is placed into an artery after plaque has been crushed and flattened using a balloon angioplasty catheter. The stent is designed to prevent the plaque from recoiling and blocking the artery again.
Stroke : Death of a portion of brain tissue due to inadequate blood flow.
Thrombolysis : A technique in which drugs are used to dissolve blood clots.
Thrombophlebitis : A condition of veins in which a blot clot forms and is associated with inflammation of the vein wall.
TMB -Transient Monocular Blindness: temporary loss of vision in one eye.
It may be caused by carotid artery plaque.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA ): A temporary weakness or numbness of a portion of the body (for example, an arm or leg) usually lasting just a few minutes which is due to a temporary interruption of the arterial blood flow to the brain (see carotid artery surgery).
Trental : A drug that is sometimes prescribed for patients with claudication.
Ulcer : A "sore" on the skin due to a circulation problem. Most commonly seen on the leg.
Ultrasound : A noninvasive, inexpensive technique used to evaluate internal organs and blood vessels using sound waves.
Varicose veins : Dilated, tortuous veins of the lower Extremities that are caused by incompetence of the valves within the vein.
Veins : The blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart from all parts of the body.
Vein Bypass : A bypass constructed around a blocked artery using a portion of a patient's own vein.
Vena Caval Filter : A cone-shaped metallic device which is placed within the inferior vena cava (in the abdominal cavity). It is designed to prevent any blood clots in the leg veins from traveling to the heart and lungs.