ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
TO HELP YOU COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS
VIDEOS
The Dr. Oz TV show discussed Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and the need to check for it. Dr. Oz does a great job describing why this silent disease can be deadly or lead to amputations. PAD screening is done with ultrasound imaging by using the ankle-brachial index (ABI).
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"Numbness, cramping and pain in your legs are symptoms associated with blockages in your arteries and the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Having PAD increases your risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke. Identify the warning signs and learn when to see a doctor."
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are quoted from: Cancer.gov, RadiologyInfo.org and WebMD.com
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Atherosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis characterized by irregularly distributed lipid deposits, or plaque, in large and medium-sized arteries; such deposits provoke fibrosis and calcification (hardening of the tissues).
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Diagnostic Ultrasound
Procedure that uses - a transducer (probe) to generate high-frequency sound waves (2-12MHz) to produce images of the body’s internal structures for medical diagnostic purposes.
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Echocardiogram
During an intravascular ultrasound echocardiogram, a transducer is threaded into the heart's blood vessels with a catheter in the groin. It's often used to provide detailed information about blockage.
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Intravascular Ultrasound
An intravascular ultrasound is an ultrasound performed during cardiac catheterization. During this procedure, the transducer is threaded into the heart blood vessels via a catheter in the groin. It is often used to provide detailed information about the atherosclerosis (blockage) inside the blood vessels.
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Minimally Invasive
A minimally invasive procedure requires a small skin puncture or very limited incision to perform the intervention, which typically involves the insertion of miniaturized instruments. Common examples of minimally invasive procedures would be stereotactic breast biopsy, heart catheterization or temporary placement of an implanted port for chemotherapy.
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Modality
A form of application or employment of a therapeutic agent or regimen.
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Needle Aspiration
The removal of living tissue for microscopic examination by suction through a fine needle attached to a syringe. The procedure is used primarily to obtain cells from a lesion containing fluid.
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Needle Biopsy
Removal of tissue or suspensions of cells from living patients through a small needle for diagnostic examination.
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Ultrasound Transducer
A device that produces sound waves that bounce off body tissues and make echoes. The transducer also receives the echoes and sends them to a computer that uses them to create a picture called a sonogram. Transducers (probes) come in different shapes and sizes for use in making pictures of different parts of the body.
