Procedures of the Cardiovascular System

Nathaniel Namowicz

Biology 120

Valve Replacement

● Removal and replacement of a defective heart valve with an artificial or biological valve.

● Invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia, a large cut is made to the breastbone to reach the heart and aorta. The heart is stopped and theCS is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to continue oxygenating the blood.

← This image shows an artificial heart valve being inserted, the plastic tubes on the right are connected to a heart-lung bypass machine. Artificialvalves are more durable than biologicalreplacements but the patient will need to continuously take blood-thinning medication for life.

Angioplasty Also known as Percutaneous Coronary Interventions [PCI], Balloon Angioplasty, Coronary Artery Balloon Dilation, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

● Minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct localized narrowing of artery.

● Involves the insertion of a balloon catheter through the skin intothe coronary artery, the balloon is dilated to help widen the vesseland compress plague blocking the artery.

← Often times a stent is implanted during the procedure to help the artery remain openand decrease the chance of another blockage

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

● Open-heart procedure where (usually) the saphenous vein (leg vein) isgrafted onto the aorta and coronary artery to reroute blood around a blockage.

● The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, a significant blockage will lead to death of the heart muscle. This is a myocardial infarction, or“heart attack.” .

← This picture illustrates a single-bypass graft. 1-5 coronary arteries can be bypassed,depending on the number of blockages.

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