Patient Information:
Glossary Of Terms
A
B C D E
F G H I J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V
W X Y Z
Accreditation
For vascular laboratories, accreditation is achieved by demonstrating
compliance with a set of standards that have been developed
in order to promote standardized, quality care.
Aneurysm
A balloon-like widening of a portion of an artery that is a
weak point along the course of the vessel, which may lead to
rupture.
Artery
A blood vessel, which carries blood, oxygen, and other nutrients
from the heart to the tissues of the body.
Arterial
Pertaining to an artery, or a blood vessel, which supplies blood,
oxygen and other nutrients to the tissues of the body.
Arterial
Blockages
Areas of blockage or obstruction in an artery, which are almost
always caused by "hardening of the arteries", or atherosclerosis.
Left untreated, these blockages may result in stroke, heart
attack, amputation of the limbs, or other serious problems.
Atherosclerosis
Sometimes referred to as "hardening of the arteries".
This condition is basically an accumulation of fats and cholesterol
in the inner lining of an artery that can build up to such a
degree that the artery becomes stenotic (i.e., narrowed) or
occluded (i.e., completely blocked).
Blood
Clots
A condition in which blood stops flowing in a blood vessel,
forming an area of solidified blood or "clot".
Bruit
A sound that might be heard when a physician listens with a
stethoscope over an area of a diseased blood vessel.
Carotid
An artery in the neck that supplies the brain with oxygenated
blood. It can be the cause of a stroke if it becomes diseased
and narrowed.
Carotid
Artery
An artery in the neck that carries blood to the brain. See carotid.
Claudication
Leg pain (usually the calf, but sometimes the thigh), which
is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. The pain
is brought on by leg exercise such as walking.
Credential
The title that an individual achieves after completion of an
examination designed to evaluate competency in a given specialty
field (i.e., RVT, RVS, RT(VS)).
Deep
Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
A blood clot in the deep venous system (deep veins of the legs
most commonly). Depending on the location, it may require blood
thinners for treatment.
Diagnostic
Ultrasound
Ultrasound examinations used to assist in determining the potential
cause, nature, or extent of disease.
Doppler
A technology using high frequency sound waves that, in vascular
testing, generates an audible signal, characterizing blood flow
in a vessel.
Duplex
A machine that generates an audible (Doppler) and visible signal
that, in vascular testing, give information on both the blood
flow information and the appearance of the blood vessel.
Duplex
Scan
A non-invasive test used in vascular testing to evaluate blood
flow in a vessel, as well as images of the vessel.
Embolus
A blood clot or piece of inner artery wall that breaks off and
travels to another artery down stream, potentially blocking
blood flow distally.
ICAVL
(Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular
Laboratories)
An agency that evaluates and grants accreditation to vascular
laboratories.
Ischemia
Inadequate arterial blood-flow to a portion of the body. For
example: leg ischemia, brain ischemia.
Peripheral
Vascular Disease (PVD)
Abnormalities in the arteries of the extremities.
Phlebitis
Inflammation of superficial veins that results in pain.
Plaque
A deposit of fats and cholesterol within the lining of an artery.
Usually referred to as "atherosclerotic plaque".
RT(VS):
Registered Technologist (Vascular Sonography)
The credential achieved by a person who has successfully completed
the vascular technology exam administered by the American Registry
of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
RVS:
Registered Vascular Sonographer
The credential achieved by a person who has successfully completed
the vascular technology exam administered by Cardiovascular
Credentialing International (CCI).
RVT:
Registered Vascular Technologist
The credential achieved by a person who has successfully completed
the vascular technology exam administered by the American Registry
for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Sonographer
An individual who performs ultrasound examinations.
Stenosis
A stricture, narrowing or blockage of an artery or vein.
Stroke
Death of a portion of brain tissue due to inadequate blood flow
that can involve irreversible brian damage (unlike a TIA).
TIA
(Transient Ischemic Attack)
Injury to the brain caused by a decrease in blood supply to
an area of the brain. The attack lasts less than 24 hours, usually
less than 10 minutes. The symptoms can include weakness of one
side of the body, inability to talk or loss of vision in one
eye. TIA is also known as a "mini stroke". If the
symptoms last longer than 24 hours, it is a stroke.
Ultrasound
A medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves
and their echoes in order to visualize anatomy. Doppler ultrasound
can measure blood flow characteristics as well as anatomy and
gives valuable vascular information quickly and without radiation.
Vascular
Pertinent to blood vessels or the body's circulatory system.
Vascular
Disease
Abnormalities or disease states that affect the blood vessels
(arteries and/or veins).
Vascular
Technologist
An individual who performs non-invasive vascular testing.
Varicose
Veins
Dilated, tortuous veins of the extremities that can be seen
or felt externally on the limb and can be painful.
Veins
The blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart from all
parts of the body.
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