Percutaneous transluminal peripheral angioplasty (PTPA) is a revascularization procedure that is used to treat narrowing of the arteries caused by peripheral arterial disease or other conditions. A physician performing PTPA makes a small nick in the skin and inserts a balloon catheter or other...
Diagnostic angiography, which is also referred to as diagnostic arteriology, is an imaging-guided procedure designed to detect cardiovascular disease. A physician performs the procedure by making a small incision in an artery and threading a catheter through the blood vessels, according to the...
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to restore a woman’s breast to its normal shape and size. It’s commonly performed after a patient undergoes a mastectomy following a cancer diagnosis, but it can also be used to repair breasts after a lumpectomy or breast trauma, according...
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an FDA-approved drug used to treat diseases that feature blood clots. tPA uses an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which is responsible for clot breakdown. Because of the way it is manufactured, tPA may also be referred to as...
Endoscopic laser foraminoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal procedure in which the surgeon uses an endoscopically guided laser to remove bony extrusions or sequestrations from discs in the spinal column. Removing these bony protrusions alleviates pressure on the nerves and relieves many...
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), often referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a noninvasive procedure that restores blood flow to the heart tissue and opens blocked coronary arteries caused by coronary artery disease. Cardiologists often perform PTCA...
It is estimated that one in every 20 Americans over age 50 has peripheral vascular disease, a condition caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits on arterial walls, according to the National Institutes of Health. These deposits can narrow the arteries, restricting or
blocking blood flow...
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is performed to surgically remove plaque deposits (e.g., cholesterol, calcium, and fat) from the carotid arteries, which are located on each side of the neck and supply blood to the brain. Over time, plaque buildup can cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries...
Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty, or total hip replacement, is a relatively routine procedure generally reserved for the older patient population that suffers from pain and decreased mobility due to osteoarthritis. The cartilage covering the joint begins to wear away with age, causing...
Myocardial perfusion imaging is a nuclear medicine procedure that allows the physician to visualize the functioning of a patient’s heart. The test is also known as a SPECT nuclear stress test or thallium scan (thallium was the radiotracer used most commonly when the test first came into use, but...
