Question 1

Common Vascular Conditions

Accepted Answer

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when a lower portion of your body's aorta becomes weakened and bulges.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
- A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a weakened area in the upper part of the aorta.
Carotid artery disease
- Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head.
Peripheral artery disease
- A common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.
Claudication
- Claudication is pain caused by too little blood flow to muscles during exercise.
Intestinal ischemia
- A variety of conditions that occur when blood flow to your intestines decreases due to a blocked blood vessel.
Renal artery stenosis
- Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of one or more arteries that carry blood to your kidneys.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome
- The main symptom of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is pain or cramping in the back of the lower leg (the calf) that occurs during exercise and goes away with rest.

Question 2

Common Vascular Procedures

Accepted Answer

Carotid endarterectomy
- Your surgeon makes a tiny incision along the front of your neck, and removes the plaques that are clogging your artery.
Carotid ultrasound
- A safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries.
Coronary angioplasty and stents
- A procedure used to open clogged arteries. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon catheter that is inserted in a blocked blood vessel to help widen it and improve blood flow to your heart.
Angina treatment
- Angina is often described as a tightness or pain in the chest. If your angina is stable, you might be able to control it with lifestyle changes and medicines. An unstable angina requires immediate treatment in a hospital, which could involve medicines and surgical procedures.
Coronary angiogram
- A procedure that uses X-ray imaging to see your heart's blood vessels. The test is generally done to see if there's a restriction in blood flow going to the heart.
Cardiac catheterization
- A procedure used to diagnose and treat certain cardiovascular conditions. During cardiac catheterization, a long thin tube called a catheter is inserted in an artery or vein in your groin, neck or arm and threaded through your blood vessels to your heart.

Your Care Team

Harry Ma, MD, PhD