GLOSSARY
The ABC's of Vascular Disease.
Learn more about the terms & treatments used at Milford Vascular Institute.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA):
An enlargement of the aorta, the main blood vessel that delivers blood to the body, at the level of the abdomen. This is the most common type of aneurysm. To read more about aneurysm, click here.
Angiogram:
An angiogram is a diagnostic test which uses contrast dye and x-ray to take pictures and see the arteries in the body. To learn more about angiograms and how we use them at Milford Vascular Institute, click here.
Angioplasty:
An angioplasty is a procedure performed to restore blood flow in a blood vessel. A small catheter is guided to the site of the blockage. The tip of the catheter is a balloon. At the site of stenosis, the balloon tip is then inflated to widen narrowed artery or vein. Most commonly, this procedure is used to treat atherosclerosis in arteries.
Artery:
Blood vessels which carry oxygen rich blood away from the heart.
Atherosclerosis:
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries. This build up causes the artery to narrow which restricts the flow of oxygen rich blood. Click here to read more about atherosclerosis.
A by-pass graft is used to reroute blood around a blockage in a blood vessel. They can be made of organic or artificial materials.
By-Pass Graft:
The build up of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, the main arteries in the neck.
Carotid Artery Disease:
Cellulitis:
A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection. The symptoms of cellulitis include the affected skin appears swollen and red and may be hot and tender. Cellulitis often presents with a fever.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency:
Improper functioning of the vein valves in the leg, causing swelling and skin changes. Click here to learn more about venous insufficiency.
Circulatory System:
The heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. Typically DVT's develop in the legs. DVT is very dangerous and potentially life threatening because the clot could end up breaking off and traveling to the lungs. To read more about DVT, click here.
Dialysis:
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job. It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure.
Edema:
Edema means swelling.
Endovenous Ablation:
Minimally invasive treatment for venous insufficiency. Milford Vascular Institute offers three different forms of endovenous ablations; Radio Frequency ablation, Endovenous Laser treatment, and the VenaSeal Closure System.
Fistula:
A fistula is a joining of two organs. Milford Vascular Institute performs Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Creations at Milford Hospital. If an AV fistula becomes clotted, the doctors at Milford Vascular Institute can perform a fistulagram at our outpatient based laboratory. Click here to learn more about services we offer for dialysis patients.
Gangrene:
Dead tissue.
Intervention Radiology:
Interventional radiology is a radiology specialty which provides minimally invasive image-guided diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Ischemia:
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body.
IVC Filter:
An IVC Filter is a small device that is placed in your inferior vena cava to prevent blood clots from moving through your blood into your lungs.
Lymphedema:
Swelling due to blockage in or damage to the lymphatic system.
May-Thurner Syndrome:
May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is caused when the left iliac vein is compressed by the right iliac artery, which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left extremity.
NIVL:
Nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion (NIVL) is a clinical syndrome variously known as May- Thurner syndrome, Cockett syndrome, or “iliac vein compression syndrome.” NIVL is thought to be a rare form of chronic venous disease (CVD). Click here to read more about NIVL.
Pacemaker:
A small device that's placed in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms.
Peripheral Arterial Disease:
Hardening of the arteries due to atherosclerotic build up within the walls of the arteries in the arms and legs.
Phlebitis:
Phlebitis means inflammation of the vein. Phlebitis can occur in superficial, varicose veins or in deep veins. Patients typically get phlebitis in their legs. The inflamed vein may cause blood clots to form. This is called thrombophlebitis. When phlebitis occurs in deep veins called deep vein thrombophlebitis. Deep vein thrombophlebitis is dangerous and potentially life threatening because the blood clots in the deep veins, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), could end up breaking off and traveling to the lungs. While superficial phlebitis is rarely dangerous, if left untreated, it could lead to the development of dangerous deep vein thrombophlebitis and DVT. Click here to learn more about phlebitis and DVT.
Pneumothorax:
A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung. Click here to learn about pneumothorax.
Port a catheter:
A small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin in the right chest if they are getting chemotherapy or have poor IV access and need frequent blood draws (port must be flushed every month).
Pulmonary Embolism:
A blood clot that travels to the lungs. Pulmonary embolisms are potentially fatal when they occur.
Sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy is the process of injecting a solution into a vein to close it off. This treatment is typically used on smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Click here to read more about sclerotherapy.
Stent:
A stent is a tiny wire mesh tube. It is used to prop open the walls of a blood vessel. Click here to learn more about how stents are used at Milford Vascular Institute.
Thoracic Surgery:
Surgery pertaining to the chest.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:
Thoracic outlet syndrome affects the blood vessels and nerves in the space between the collarbone and first rib. Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome refers to when one or more of the veins or arteries under the clavicle are compressed. This can result in pain in your neck and numbness in your fingers.
Thrombolysis:
A treatment to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs.
Varicose Veins:
Gnarled, enlarged veins, most commonly appearing in the legs and feet. Click here to learn more about who is most at risk for developing varicose veins.
Vascular Access:
An introduction into the vascular system created to allow for a direct connection to devices or chemicals into the bloodstream.
Vascular Disease:
Any condition that affects the heart, blood, or blood vessels throughout the body.
Vascular Surgery:
Surgery pertaining to the vascular system.
Veins:
Blood vessels which carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Veins contain one way valves in them to help the heart fight gravity while pumping the blood back to the heart.
Venogram:
A Venogram is a procedure in which an x-ray of the veins is taken after a special dye is injected into the veins.
To learn more about how venograms are used at Milford Vascular Institute, click here.