Blood Clots Blood clotting is a normal process that occurs in the body to prevent bleeding. The body makes blood clots and then breaks them down. Under certain circumstances, the body may be unable to break down a clot, which may result in a serious health condition. Abnormal blood clotting in the veins is related to a combination of several problems such as "sluggish" blood flow through the veins, an abnormality in clot forming factors or an injury to the blood vessel wall. Blood clots can form in arteries or veins. Clots formed in veins are called venous clots.

Bypass Surgery A bypass is a rerouting of the circulation around an area that is blocked, usually by arterial plaque. Arterial plaque may also be referred to as atherosclerotic plaque. Most Americans are familiar with coronary coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, which uses small veins or arteries to get blood around blocked arteries in the heart to improve blood flow. Arterial bypass surgery uses the same principles.

Cardiac Arrest Cardiac arrest is an emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops functioning. People who suffer cardiac arrest lose consciousness and stop breathing because of a lack of blood flow to the entire body. Without an effective heartbeat or blood pressure, the brain and other vital organs are deprived of blood, leading to death within minutes. Cardiac arrest requires immediate, advanced medical attention for a chance of survival. Risk Factors Expand Content Several factors can increase the risk for developing heart rhythm problems that can trigger cardiac arrest.

Cardiac Catheterization Cardiac catheterization is a procedure to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions by advancing a tiny hollow tube, or catheter, from a blood vessel in the groin or arm through the aorta and into the heart.  Once the catheter is in place, our interventional cardiologists can use it for several diagnostic techniques, such as measuring the pressures in the chambers. In addition, the catheter can be advanced into the coronary arteries and a contrast dye injected into the arteries.

Cardiogenic Shock Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It typically happens after a sudden cardiac event such as a heart attack or decline in cardiac function (such as acute or worsening heart failure). When cardiogenic shock occurs, blood pressure becomes very low, signifying the heart’s inability to adequately pump blood in order to provide much-needed oxygen to vital organs. Cardiogenic shock can quickly progress to multi-organ failure and death.

Cardioversion Cardioversion is often used to treat people who have atrial fibrillation. It is usually a scheduled procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis. Occasionally, cardioversion is accomplished by using only medications such as anti-arrhythmic drugs to restore the heart's rhythm. The goal of cardioversion is to disrupt the abnormal electrical circuit(s) in the heart and to restore a normal heart beat.

Carotid Artery Disease Carotid artery disease occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the brain become narrowed. As with other vascular diseases, narrowing of the carotid arteries is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, sometimes referred to as hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which cholesterol accumulates to form a plaque that clogs the blood vessels. Carotid artery disease can cause a stroke if blood flow is cut off, leading brain cells to die and impairing body parts that those brain cells control.

Claudication Claudication is pain or discomfort felt in the legs during walking. The word claudication is derived from the Latin word claudicatio, which means "to limp." Claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Claudication occurs when the arteries in your legs do not receive enough blood and oxygen due to narrowed or blocked arteries. In most cases, this blockage is caused by atherosclerosis.

Coarctation of the Aorta in Children Coarctation of the aorta is when the largest blood vessel in the body is narrowed. This narrowing makes it difficult for blood to reach the lower body. The symptoms depend on the severity of the narrowing. Newborns with a severe narrowing may be in shock with no blood flow to the legs, kidneys and intestines. If mild, older children may be diagnosed by weak leg pulses or an elevated blood pressure in their arms. Treatment The pediatric cardiac surgeons are able to enlarge a severely narrowed aorta with surgical treatment.

Coarctation of the Aorta Transcatheter Repair Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel that exits the heart and supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood. Transcatheter dilation is a type of procedure that can treat the abnormal narrowing of the aorta without the need for open heart surgery. Learn More