CIRCC key terms

Puncturing the common femoral artery to insert catheters for left heart catheterization and coronary angiography. Correct placement relative to the femoral head and bifurcation reduces bleeding and vascular complications.

Entering the radial artery at the wrist for catheter procedures, favored for lower bleeding risk and earlier ambulation. A patent palmar arch should be confirmed before puncture to protect hand perfusion.

A bedside check of collateral hand circulation in which the radial and ulnar arteries are compressed and release of the ulnar artery is observed for reperfusion. It helps confirm a safe radial approach.

Narrowing of the radial artery during catheter manipulation, causing pain and resistance to catheter movement. It is prevented with vasodilator cocktails and gentle technique and treated with additional vasodilators and patience.

A short plastic tube placed in the artery or vein that keeps a channel open so catheters can be passed repeatedly with less vessel trauma. Its size is given in French units.

A unit describing catheter and sheath diameter, where one French equals one-third of a millimeter. Knowing conversions helps the operator select equipment that fits the vessel and the planned procedure.

A large-lumen catheter shaped to seat in a coronary ostium and provide a stable conduit for wires, balloons, and stents during intervention. Its shape is chosen to match the coronary anatomy being treated.

A catheter used to engage coronary ostia and inject contrast for angiography, typically with a smaller lumen and softer tip than a guiding catheter. Different curves fit different aortic and coronary shapes.

A thin flexible wire passed through vessels to steer and support catheters and devices to a target lesion. Its tip design and stiffness affect crossing ability and safety.

Imaging of blood vessels by injecting radiopaque contrast through a catheter while recording X-ray images. It shows lumen shape, stenosis severity, and flow, and requires attention to contrast volume and kidney risk.

A narrowing of a coronary artery lumen, usually from atherosclerotic plaque, that can limit blood flow to heart muscle. Severity is judged by angiography and, when needed, by pressure-based measurements.

A pressure-wire measurement comparing pressure distal to a coronary narrowing with aortic pressure during maximal hyperemia. A low ratio indicates the stenosis limits flow and may benefit from revascularization.

Treating coronary narrowing through the skin using catheters, balloons, and stents rather than surgery. It aims to restore blood flow and relieve ischemia, with antiplatelet therapy and complication vigilance as key supports.

Inflating a balloon catheter within a narrowed artery to stretch the plaque and enlarge the lumen. It is often followed by stent placement because plain balloon dilation can recoil or tear the vessel.

A small mesh tube deployed in an artery to hold it open after balloon dilation. Drug-eluting types release medication to reduce tissue regrowth, and correct sizing and expansion affect outcomes.

Clot forming inside a deployed stent, which can abruptly block the artery and cause a heart attack. It is linked to incomplete stent expansion, poor antiplatelet adherence, and premature discontinuation of medication.

A tear in the inner lining of a coronary artery that lets blood track within the vessel wall and can narrow or occlude the lumen. It may follow catheter trauma or balloon inflation and sometimes needs stenting.

A puncture or rupture of a coronary artery wall during a catheter procedure, allowing blood to leak outside the vessel. It can cause rapid cardiac tamponade and requires prompt balloon tamponade and sometimes covered stents or surgery.

Compression of the heart by fluid or blood accumulating in the pericardial sac, impairing filling and lowering blood pressure. In the catheterization lab it is a feared consequence of perforation and needs urgent drainage.

Needle drainage of fluid from the pericardial sac, often guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy. It relieves tamponade and can stabilize a patient after a procedure-related perforation.

Bleeding into the space behind the abdominal cavity, often after a femoral puncture that is too high. It may present with back or flank pain and falling blood pressure without visible groin swelling.

The process of stopping bleeding at an access site, achieved by manual compression or a closure device. Effective hemostasis and appropriate bed rest reduce rebleeding and vascular complications after sheath removal.

A rise in serum creatinine after iodinated contrast exposure, reflecting acute kidney injury. Risk is reduced by limiting contrast volume, ensuring hydration, and identifying patients with preexisting kidney disease or diabetes.

Planned intravenous fluid administration before and after contrast exposure to support kidney perfusion and reduce injury risk. Saline is commonly used, with volume adjusted for heart failure and kidney function.

Combined use of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor to prevent clot formation after stent placement. Adherence and correct timing around procedures are critical because interruption raises the risk of stent thrombosis.

The percentage of blood in the left ventricle ejected with each beat, a core measure of pumping function. It is often assessed during catheterization and guides risk assessment and device decisions.

Injecting contrast into the left ventricle to visualize its size, wall motion, and valve function during catheterization. It helps identify regional wall motion abnormalities and estimate ejection fraction.

Measuring pressures and flows within the heart and vessels using catheters and transducers to assess function and guide therapy. It includes chamber pressures, cardiac output, and vascular resistance calculations.

Passing a catheter through the venous system into the right heart and pulmonary artery to measure pressures and cardiac output. It helps evaluate pulmonary hypertension, shock, and heart failure.

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, equal to stroke volume times heart rate. It is measured or calculated during catheterization to assess circulatory adequacy and guide treatment.

A pressure obtained by inflating a balloon on a pulmonary artery catheter to estimate left atrial pressure. It reflects left-sided filling pressures and helps distinguish causes of dyspnea and shock.

A large vein on the back of the heart that collects cardiac venous blood and drains into the right atrium. Its anatomy is relevant to catheter procedures such as retrograde access and cardiac vein mapping.

The branching pattern of the right and left coronary arteries that supply heart muscle, including the left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries. Knowing typical and variant patterns guides catheter selection and interpretation.

Specialized heart tissue that generates and conducts electrical impulses, including the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and His-Purkinje network. Its function coordinates chamber contraction and is relevant to rhythm complications during procedures.

A heart rate slower than normal, which can reduce cardiac output and cause dizziness or fainting. During catheter procedures it may follow vagal stimulation or coronary injection and may require atropine or pacing.

A reflex causing sudden slowing of the heart rate and widening of blood vessels, leading to low blood pressure and fainting. It can occur with pain, anxiety, or groin manipulation and is managed with fluids and positioning.

Practices that limit patient and staff exposure to X-rays, including minimizing fluoroscopy time, using collimation, and wearing shielding. Distance and time are the most effective ways to reduce dose.

Real-time X-ray imaging used to guide catheters and devices inside the body. It allows continuous visualization during procedures, and dose management is an essential part of its safe use.

Protective garment worn by catheterization laboratory staff to absorb scattered X-rays and reduce body dose. Proper fit and storage matter because damage or poor fit can leave gaps in protection.

A catheter-based ultrasound probe that images the inside of vessels and plaque structure. It helps assess lesion severity, vessel size, and stent expansion beyond what angiography alone shows.