Aneurysm
Dilation of a blood vessel (usually an artery but sometimes a vein).
Angiogram/Angiography
An X-ray of the blood vessels after injection of a contrast substance.
Aorta
The largest artery in the human body, carrying blood from the heart to branch arteries throughout the body.
Atherectomy
Removal of plaque from within a blood vessel by a specially designed catheter.
Atherosclerosis
Deposits inside the arteries that cause narrowing or complete blockage.
Atrial fibrillation
A rapid and irregular heart rate and rhythm that can decrease efficiency of the heart.
Balloon Angioplasty
A procedure that positions a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip into the narrowed segment of an artery; the balloon is then inflated and compresses the plaque against the vessel wall.
Claudication
Reproducible pain (or a tired feeling) in the legs that occurs during physical activity.
Dissection
A split in the layers of tissue that comprise the aortic wall - blood can then “dissect” between the layers and cause bleeding or obstruction of blood flow.
Embolism
When a blood clot or other plaque debris moves through the bloodstream until it lodges in a narrowed vessel and blocks the flow of blood (circulation).
Embolization
A procedure in which coils (or other permanent synthetic material) are introduced into the circulatory system in order to clot off or close specific abnormal blood vessels, such as in Uterine Artery Embolization.
Endovascular
A minimally invasive procedure designed to access various regions within the body via major blood vessels using catheters, guidewires, balloons, stents, etc.
Hemorrhage
Bleeding that can occur from a ruptured or injured vessel.
Ischemia
The symptoms caused by insufficient blood flow to an extremity or other organ due to an obstructed or severely narrowed artery .
Saphenous vein
The greater and lesser saphenous veins are the primary superficial veins of the lower extremities.
Stent deployment
An endovascular procedure designed to keep a previously blocked passageway open in which a metallic tube in the form of a mesh is inserted into a blood vessel.
Takayasu’s disease
A chronic inflammation of large or small blood vessels.
Thrombosis
The formation or presence of a blood clot within a vessel.
Vascular
Pertaining to blood vessels.
Vasculitis
Inflammation of blood vessels.
Venogram
A diagnostic X-ray of the veins or venous system after the injection of a contrast substance.
Venous reflux
A condition that develops when the valves that normally keep blood flowing out of your legs toward your heart become diseased and don't function properly.