Cardiothoracic Surgery Patient Care – Diagnostic tools, definitions, etc.

Patient appointments & physician referrals: please call 210-450-0999.

Below are links to illustrations and brief descriptions of various diagnostic tools and tests you
may encounter, as well as some general educational tools.

Adult cardiac conditions, symptoms, definitions, anatomy:

Angina
Arterial blockages
Ascending aorta
Atherosclerosis
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Thoracic aortic & endovascular conditions, symptoms, definitions, anatomy:

Coronary arteries
Aortic aneurysm
Aortic dissection
Aortic pseudoaneurysms
Aortic ulcers
Arch aneurysms
Coarctation
Embolizing aorta
Endovascular treatment of shaggy aorta syndrome
Hypertension
Total circulatory arrest (cardiogenic shock)

Tests, diagnostic tools:

Coronary angiography
Doppler ultrasound
Echocardiography
Electrocardiogram (ECG), single or repeated over several hours
MRI scan
Nuclear ventriculography (MUGA or RNV)

Treatments, procedures:

Ascending aortic reconstruction
Atherosclerosis treatment
Balloon angioplasty
Bypass surgery (CABG)
Cardiac catheterization
Endoscopic vein harvesting
Off pump / beating heart surgery
Stenting
Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)

Internet resources:

American Heart Association
Cardiothoracic Surgery Network
Society of Thoracic Surgeons