Medical Terminology Simplified

Technique used to determine the histocompatibility of tissues used in grafts and

transplants with the recipient’s tissues and cells; also known as histocompatibility

testing

Medical and Surgical Procedures

Cardiovascular System

Endovascular procedure (under x-ray visualization) that widens or opens blocked

coronary arteries to restore blood flow to the heart muscle; also called coronary

angioplasty

This procedure is used to relieve chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and

minimizes damage to heart muscle caused by a heart attack. A coronary artery stent may

also be placed during angioplasty to prevent closure of a coronary artery from an athero-

sclerotic lesion.

Angioplasty in which a balloon catheter is inserted and threaded through the femoral

or radial artery into the blocked coronary artery that is narrowed because of athero-

sclerosis (See Fig. 6–16.)

Once the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated and compresses the plaque outward

against the wall of the artery. This widens the artery and restores blood flow. Also called

percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

198 CHAPTER 5• Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

tissue typing

angioplasty

percutaneous translu-

minal coronary angio-

plasty (PTCA)

pĕr-kū-TĀ-nē-ŭs

trăns-LŪ-mĭ-năl

KOR-ō-nă-rē ĂN-jē-ō-

plăs-tē

A

C

B

Balloon positioned in the

blocked coronary artery

Figure 5-16PTCA with stent placement. (A)Balloon inflated to widen the artery.
(B)Deflated balloon. (C)Stent remains to hold the artery open when catheter is removed.