What is coronary CT angiography? Coronary computerized tomography angiography (CCTA) is a heart scan or imaging test that helps diagnose plaque buildup and consequent narrowing of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart). During a CCTA scan, you may receive an iodine-containing material (contrast) as an intravenous injection to ensure the best possible images of the coronary...
Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale and Atrial Septal Defect
What are atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale? The symptoms of a Patent Foramen Ovale or atrial septal defect may be managed by medications. In some cases, surgery may be needed. The heart has four chambers, the upper two called atria and the lower two called ventricles. The left and right atria are separated by a partition called the...
Why Is an Endobronchial Ultrasound Performed? Lung Diagnosis
What is an endobronchial ultrasound? Endobronchial Ultrasound helps the doctors to obtain tissue or fluid samples from the lungs and surrounding areas without invasive surgery. Endobronchial ultrasound is a procedure used to diagnose various lung problems, including infections and cancer. The procedure allows the doctors to investigate the lungs and to take samples with the aid of an ultrasound scan....
Why Is Hartmann’s Procedure Necessary? For Diverticulitis
What is Hartmann’s procedure? Hartmann’s procedure is necessary to preserve the healthy part of the colon in conditions that most commonly include diverticulitis and colon cancer Hartmann’s procedure is a surgical procedure in which an unhealthy part of your colon is cut from the rest of the colon, and the open end of the colon is connected to a bag...
What Is Laparoscopic Right Colectomy? Recovery Time
What is the colon? Laparoscopic colectomy is used to treat and prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon, such as bleeding that can't be controlled. The colon (called the large intestine or large bowel) is a part of the digestive system. The colon sits is situated in the abdominal cavity and travels down to end at the anus. One...
What Is Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage?
What is percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage? In percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage a small, flexible, plastic tube is placed through the skin into the liver to drain a blocked bile duct system. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) is a procedure to drain bile to relieve pressure in the bile ducts caused by a blockage. The liver makes...
What Is an Adhesiolysis Procedure? Scar Tissue
What is an adhesiolysis procedure? Picture of an abdominal scar after adhesiolysis procedure. Adhesiolysis is a surgical procedure that removes abdominal adhesions. After abdominal surgery, the scar tissue is formed over the surgical wounds. This is part of the healing process. In some cases, the scars thicken giving rise to bands or lumps of scars known as abdominal adhesions. These...
What Are the Five Signs of Narcolepsy?
What is narcolepsy? The five classical signs of narcolepsy are EDS, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and disrupted sleep. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects your ability to sleep and wake up. People with narcolepsy have excessive, uncontrollable daytime sleepiness. They may also suddenly fall asleep at any time, during any type of activity. About in 1 in 2,000 Americans have some type of...
What Are the Types of Noninvasive Ventilation? Positive and Negative Pressure
What is noninvasive ventilation? Invasive ventilation: The type of ventilation where oxygen is delivered to your lungs through a tube inserted into your nose or throat (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube) that goes into your windpipe. A ventilator is a machine that helps in delivering oxygen to your lungs. It is used to assist with breathing when you cannot breathe...
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Pancreas Surgery?
What is pancreas? Although patients can leave the hospital after a few days or weeks, a full recovery from pancreas surgery can take two months or longer. The pancreas is a six to eight inches long organ situated in the abdomen, behind the stomach. The two main functions of the pancreas are regulating the blood sugar in the body and...