A | B | C | D | E | G | I | L | M | N | P | R | S | T | U | V
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): A non-invasive test that uses inflatable cuffs to gauge circulation and measure blood pressure in the arteries at various locations including the thigh, calf, foot and toes. It is performed in the vascular laboratory at the hospital or at the outpatient clinic.
Angioplasty with Stent: A minimally invasive procedure used to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries or veins by inflating a balloon in the vessel to improve blood flow to the area that was blocked. The balloon is then removed, a stent (mesh scaffold that helps hold the artery open) may also be inserted to maintain an open channel for blood to flow through.
Arterial Insufficiency: Any condition that slows or stops the flow of blood through your arteries. Atherosclerosis is a common cause.
Arteriography/Angiogram: An x-ray procedure that can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. It is considered the gold standard for evaluating blockages in the arterial system. An angiogram detects blockages using x-rays taken during the injection of a contrast agent (iodine). Angiograms are typically performed while you are sedated. The procedure may last 15-20 minutes or up to several hours, depending on how difficult the test is and how much treatment is given.
Atherectomy: A minimally invasive technique for removing atherosclerosis (plaque) and opening narrow or blocked arteries. This procedure helps restore healthy blood flow and relieves symptoms of peripheral artery disease.
Atherosclerosis: A build-up of fats and cholesterol (plaque) on the walls of the arteries, which can cause the arteries to narrow and harden; restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues.
B
Buerger Disease: A rare condition of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. In Buerger disease, the blood vessels become blocked, reducing blood flow to the affected areas. This condition is first seen in the feet and may eventually affect the blood vessels of the hand. Blood clots may form in the small veins of the arms and legs. Those who get this disease almost always smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco. Quitting tobacco is the only way to stop Buerger disease. For those who don’t quit, amputation of fingers and toes might be needed. Some signs and symptoms include pain in the feet occurring with walking, tingling in fingers and toes, changes in skin color (pale, gray, red, blue) in the hands and feet and/or sores on the fingers and toes.
Bypass: A procedure to reroute blood flow around blocked arteries. Typically, a segment of a healthy vein from your arm or leg is used to create the bypass. If this is not available, other options include a donated vein or a human made (synthetic) alternative.
C
Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): Combines a computed tomography (CT) scan with an injection of special dye to produce pictures of blood vessels and tissues in a part of your body.
Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan): An imaging technique used to obtain detailed internal x-ray images from different angles around the body.
Critical Limb Ischemia: A severe stage of peripheral artery disease, in which there are significant blockages in the blood flow to arms, legs or feet. Symptoms of this level of disease may include pain in the feet or legs at rest, non-healing wounds or gangrene. At this stage of PAD, patients are at risk of an amputation.
D
Debulking Surgery: Chronic lymphedema can cause inflammation that can lead to excess fat growth in the affected limb. With this procedure, the excess fat is removed from the affected limb to reduce the volume (debulking) of the limb.
Duplex Ultrasound: A non-invasive test using sound waves to look at the arteries and veins and their blood flow. This test provides information to help your vascular surgeon make a diagnosis and outline a treatment plan. This test is also routinely used to monitor arteries or veins that have been treated with surgery.
E
Endarterectomy: A procedure to remove the plaque or blockage from the lining of an artery. It is a treatment for peripheral artery disease or carotid disease.
G
Gangrene: Irreversible death of tissue due to lack of blood flow.
I
Ischemia: Inadequate blood flow to an area, which can lead to organ and tissue damage.
Intermittent Claudication: Muscle cramping, fatigue and discomfort that occurs after walking a certain distance. The pain can occur within your calves, thighs or buttocks. Pain resolves when you stop walking. Pain re-occurs after walking the same distance. This is usually is treatable with early diagnosis.
L
Lymphatic Bypass: A procedure in which surgeons reroute blockages by rerouting functional lymphatic vessels to healthy blood vessels allowing them to drain more efficiently.
Lymph Node Transfer: A vascularized lymph node transfer is a microsurgical treatment used for mild to moderated lymphedema. By taking healthy lymph nodes from another place in your body and transferring them where they’re needed, you may find relief from lymphedema symptoms. The new lymph nodes help improve the flow of lymph fluid and reduce lymphedema swelling, tightness and pain.
M
Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA): An MRI with contrast, which is used to make the blood vessels visible on the imaging and aids in the diagnosis of aneurysms, dissections, stenosis, vasculitis and more.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An imaging scan in which magnetic waves provide detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
N
Nerve Conduction Studies: Measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve and can identify nerve damage.
P
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A serious condition caused by the narrowing of the arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. PAD is the result of atherosclerosis.
R
Raynaud’s Syndrome: A disorder that affects small blood vessels in your fingers and toes. Raynaud’s causes you to have episodic spasms, called vasospastic attacks, in response to cold temperatures or stress. During a Raynaud’s attack, the small vessels in your fingers and toes tighten more than they should. As a result, your skin in the affected area turns white then blue. This color change happens because your blood lacks oxygen. Your skin may also feel cold or numb.
Rest Pain: When your legs do not receive enough oxygen at rest, you may experience pain in your leg, foot, heel or toes. The pain is usually worse when the legs are elevated and may be relieved by lowering the legs or dangling them with gravity.
S
Steal Syndrome: A condition in which blood is being “stolen” from one area of the body to the another. One example of this is hemodialysis access-induced steal syndrome, in which the dialysis fistula or graft “steals” blood flow from a blood vessel that goes to the brain (vertebral artery), because the main subclavian artery is blocked.
T
Takayasu Arteritis: A systemic inflammation that damages the aorta and its main branches. The disease can lead to narrowed and/or blocked arteries or to weakened artery walls that may form an aneurysm and tear. The inflammation may also lead to arm or chest pain, high blood pressure and eventually heart failure or stroke. Most individuals with this condition need medications to control inflammation and prevent complications. Even with treatment, relapses are common, and your symptoms may come and go.
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR): A minimally invasive treatment for an aortic dissection or aneurysm. In the case of a dissection, a cloth covered stent graft is used to seal the tear in the aorta. One or more uncovered stents may be added to improve blood flow to your abdominal organs, pelvis and legs.
Thrombolytic Therapy: A procedure in which medications are used to breakdown blood clot(s) or prevent new blood clots from forming in a blood vessel using medication(s).
Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR): A procedure used to remove an obstruction in which a catheter (flexible tube) is connected to a filtering system reversing blood flow to keep any plaque fragments from traveling to the brain. The area of the narrowing is then treated by a combination of balloon and stent placement.
Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting (TFCAS): A procedure in which a catheter (flexible tube) is inserted in the femoral artery via a sheath (protective covering). To remove the obstruction, the carotid artery is then treated by a combination of ballooning and stent placement.
U
Ulcerations: Painful sores on your lower extremities like your legs and feet that may develop as your peripheral artery disease progresses. They may eventually lead to gangrene. Seek immediate medical attention as this may be evidence of advanced Peripheral Artery Disease.
V
Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer: A microsurgery to treat lymphedema. A surgeon will transfer healthy lymph nodes to the lymphedema affected area. The nodes are then re-attached to drain excess lymphatic fluid.
Vasculitis: An inflammation of your blood vessels that can cause vessel walls to thicken and narrow interfering with blood flow.