Glossary

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is an enlargement and thinning of the abdominal region of the aorta due to a weakening in the arterial wall. This term is often abbreviated as “AAA” and referred to as “triple A.”

In simple terms, anatomy is like a map of the body, showing where everything is and how it all fits together.

An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to balloon out or widen abnormally – resulting in the weakening of the vessel wall. Aneurysms can occur anywhere. An Aortic Aneurysm occurs in the major artery from the heart.

Angiography is a method whereby dye is injected into the bloodstream to view blood flow through the blood vessels under X-Ray. Angiography utilizes contrast (dye) and small doses of radiation. The resulting images are angiograms.

The aorta is main artery that carries blood away from the heart distributing it to the rest of the body.

An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury (BTAI) is a tear in the thoracic aorta (the portion of the aorta that is within the chest and close to the heart) that is often due to severe injury to the chest.

Bowel Ischemia is a condition that occur when blood flow to your intestines decreases.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT/CAT Scan) is an imaging technique that creates very precise, thin, cross-sectional views of the human body. For patients under consideration for AAA treatment, this scan will focus on the abdomen and aorta.

Contraindication is a specific situation where the device may not be used because it may be harmful to the person.

Contrast (dye) is a liquid injected into the vascular system that allows a doctor to see a patient’s blood flow when the patient is exposed to X-ray.

A delivery catheter is a medical tool that resembles a long thin tube used by a doctor to enter the body through the vascular system and enables placement and positioning of an endovascular device.

Dissection is a serious condition in which the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart, tears. Blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect).

dSine is pronounced “dee-sign”. Distal stent-graft induced new entry is a technical term to describe damage to the aorta caused by the placement of a stent-graft. The metal may tear the vessel wall because of, for example, friction (rubbing) or oversizing of the device.

An endoleak is a problem that can happen after a procedure called endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). In this procedure, a device called a stent-graft is placed in the blood vessel to strengthen it and prevent the aneurysm from bursting.

An endoleak occurs when blood leaks around the stent graft but stays inside the aneurysm. This means the stent isn’t fully stopping blood flow into the weakened area, which could cause the aneurysm to grow or put pressure on the stent.

There are different types of endoleaks, depending on where and how the blood is leaking.

Endovascular means inside or within a blood vessel.

Endovascular Repair is a less invasive option for the treatment of a diseased or damage blood vessels compared to open surgery. It involves the use of an endovascular graft that excludes (seals off) the disease thereby creating a new path for blood flow.

The technique uses real time X-Rays allowing the doctor to visualise the location of the device and disease to ensure proper device placement. The doctor will also use a variety of other temporarily placed devices (such as guidewires) to perform the treatment.

A Endovascular Stent Graft is a synthetic graft implanted within a diseased vessel intended to relieve blood pressure on the weakened vessel walls. Endovascular stent grafts are placed into the blood vessel using a delivery catheter, which enables the doctor to avoid needing to make a large incision on the patient.

Endovascular stent grafts are compacted within the delivery system. While still small-in-size, they are able to enter the body through the vascular system. Once in proper position, they are then deployed or expanded to the required size based on the blood vessel being treated.

A stent-graft is designed to exclude the lesion, meaning that when it is placed within the aorta it provides an alternate blood flow path.

The femoral artery is the main artery within each leg between the area of the hip and knee that brings blood to the lower extremities. Doctors perform many endovascular procedures, including treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, using the femoral artery as the primary access site.

Fluoroscopy is a live X-ray image viewed on a monitor by the doctor which is used to view both the patient’s blood vessels and the endovascular graft.

A guidewire is a long flexible wire used by the doctor to provide a path for the delivery system to move through the patient’s vasculature.

The main artery on each side of the body that takes blood from the abdominal aorta to the femoral artery. In addition to bringing blood to the lower extremities, the iliac artery also provides blood to the pelvic regions of the body.

Imaging is the use of X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans or other techniques to get pictures inside of the body.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is an ultrasound probe on a device temporarily placed inside arteries to determine diameters and lengths of arteries.

Lesions are different types of diseased or injured areas of a blood vessel, such as aneurysms, dissections, and blunt traumatic injuries.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize structures inside the body.

Malperfusion is a problem of aortic dissection where the vessel supplying blood to the organs in the body narrows down or is completely blocked resulting in organ failure.

Minimally Invasive means one or more small incisions to perform a procedure versus one large incision.

Occlusion is the blocking of a vessel that causes blood flow to be reduced or stop completely.

Open surgical repair is a traditional type of surgery used to treat conditions like aneurysms, vascular problems, or injuries to blood vessels. Unlike minimally invasive procedures (like endovascular repair), open surgical repair involves making a large incision in the body to directly access the area that needs treatment.

Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move some or all of your body.

Paraparesis is partial paralysis (limited ability to complete voluntary movement) in the lower body due to disrupted nerve signals from the brain to the muscles.

Paraplegia is the inability to voluntarily move the lower parts of the body.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers are a rare condition that most commonly develops in the aorta when plaque starts to penetrate the aortic wall, putting it at risk for rupture.

Plaque is a fatty material deposit on the inner lining of an arterial wall that may or may not be calcified.

The renal artery is the main artery on each side of the body that brings blood to the kidneys.

A rupture is a tear in the wall of an artery that allows blood to exit the blood vessel and could be a potential life-threatening event. The common term for this is hemorrhage.

The spinal column sends and receives signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. Damage can occur to these nerve roots in the spinal column that can result in temporary or permanent changes in feeling, movement, strength, and body functions.

The spinal cord gets blood from several sources, among them small arteries that come directly from the thoracic aorta. SCI can occur after interventions of the thoracic aorta because these small vessels are blocked by the replacement graft. This is known as Spinal Cord Injury or Ischemia.

A synthetic graft is a graft manufactured to replace diseased vessels. They are created by using man-made materials such as polyester.

The thoracic aorta is the section of the aorta located in the chest.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) is a widening or ballooning (thinning and enlarging) of a portion of the thoracic aorta caused by a weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

Ultrasound is the imagery of the anatomy created using highfrequency sound waves.

X-Ray is a form of energy allowing medical providers to see anatomical structures in the body, as well as the stent-graft components in your body.