Medical Procedures for Heart, Vascular and Pulmonary Disease

Question 1

What is an atherectomy?

Answer 1

Surgical procedure similar to angioplasty except the catheter has a rotating shaver to cut away plaque from the artery and increase blood flow

Question 2

What is an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD)?

Answer 2

Surgically implanted device similar to a pacemaker that continuously monitors the heart rhythm and delivers electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm when necessary

Question 3

What is a balloon angioplasty?

Answer 3

Involves temporarily inserting a small balloon-tipped catheter into a stenotic artery and expanding the balloon at the site of blockage to help widen a narrowed artery.

Combined with implantation of a stent in the narrowed artery to help prop it open and decrease the chance of restenosis

Question 4

What is cardiac ablation?

Answer 4

Surgical procedure that uses radio frequencies or chemicals to destroy areas of the myocardium that have been identified to be causing cardiac arrhythmias

Question 5

What is a cardiac pacemaker?

Answer 5

Surgically implanted battery powered device placed under the skin, usually in the left anterior chest wall.

Standard treatment for conditions affecting the electrical conduction system including slow heart rate and arrhythmias.

Question 6

What is cardioversion?

Answer 6

Performed to restore normal heart rhythm for tachyarrhythmias that do not respond to medication. Electrical shocks are delivered by a defibrillator through electrodes on the chest.

Question 7

What is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)?

Answer 7

Performed to treat coronary arteries that are narrowed or occluded in attempt to revascularize the myocardium.

Blood is rerouted around the artery joining that patient’s own saphenous vein, mammary artery or radial artery to connect the affected artery above and below the occlusion.

Question 8

What is enhanced extracorporeal counter pulsation (EECP)?

Answer 8

A noninvasive procedure in which inflation of pressure cuffs on the LEs compresses the veins and assists with venous return to the heart

Question 9

What is a heart transplant?

Answer 9

A failing diseased heart is replaced with a healthier donor heart. Reserved for patients with end stage heart failure.

Question 10

What is intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation (IABP)?

Answer 10

Inflation and deflation of a balloon surgically placed in the aorta provides circulatory assistance for patients after infarction or with cardiogenic shock

Question 11

What is valve replacement?

Answer 11

A prosthetic valve is implanted in the heart to replace leaky or narrowed heart valve.

Question 12

What is a ventricular assist device (VAD)?

Answer 12

A miniature pump that is implanted in the chest to provide mechanical support to the ventricle.

Commonly used as temporary treatment for people waiting for a heart transplant

Question 13

What is a bullectomy?

Answer 13

Surgical procedure in which one or more of the large spaces called bullae that form when the alveoli are destroyed by emphysema are removed.

Question 14

What is the difference between a pneumonectomy, lobectomy and segmental resection?

Answer 14

Pneumonectomy: removal of a lung
Lobectomy: removal of a lobe of a lung
Segmental resection: removal of a segment of a lobe

Question 15

What is a lung volume reduction surgery?

Answer 15

A portion of nonfunctioning lung tissue, that has been damaged by emphysema, is removed to normalize thoracic mobility and improve gas exchange of the remaining lung

Question 16

What is mechanical ventilation?

Answer 16

Involves an automatic cycling ventilator connected to a tracheostomy tube or mask to assist or breath for the patient.

Positive pressure from the ventilator provides the force that delivers air into the lungs by increasing intrathoracic pressure

Question 17

What is the difference between a thoracotomy and a midsternotomy?

Answer 17

Thoracotomy: incision follows the path of the first intercostal space; full ROM should be encouraged post operatively

Midsternotomy: sternum is cut in half length wise and rib cage is retracted; sternum wired together post op; encourage full UE ROM post operatively

Question 18

What is a tracheostomy? Indications (2)?

Answer 18

Surgically created hole through the neck into the trachea below the level of the vocal cords

Indications:

1. Airway obstruction at or above the level of the larynx
2. Respiratory failure requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation

Question 19

True or False: Physical Therapy is contraindicated if a patient has a chest tube.

Answer 19

FALSE

There are no contraindications to PT treatment with a chest tube.