Home Glossary A B C E G O S V A Amputation Loss of an external part of the body, most commonly part of a limb. Can be a surgical procedure, sometimes occurs after illness / injury - "auto-amputation" Aneurysm A dilation of a vessel over 50% larger than the expected normal diameter Angiogram A scan (CT, MR or xray) which shows arteries, usually with a dye in the circulation to highlight the artery above the background bones. Angioplasty Angioplasty or stenting is a procedure used to treat the narrowing or blockage of an artery. This uses either a balloon to stretch the artery (angioplasty) or metal scaffold to hold the artery open (stent). These procedures improve blood flow which helps to relieve any symptoms you are experiencing. More Information Aorta Main artery leaving the heart in the chest curving down through the abdomen and ending with division into iliac arteries. Artery A blood vessel taking blood from the heart under higher pressure with a pulse. The blood is higher in oxygen, and is a brighter red colour in the peripheral arteries B Bypass A bypass graft takes blood around a blockage allowing flow to improve beyond the blockage. C Carotid Artery in the neck with branches to the brain, eye, face and scalp Claudication Cramp pain in the muscles when they are being used due to poor circulation. E Endarterectomy Removing plaque from an artery with atherosclerosis. G Gangrene Tissues damaged by lack of blood and/or infection which turn black. O Occlusion Blockage of a vessel S Stenosis Narrowing of a vessel. Stent A stent is a metallic open mesh tube that can be placed in a blood vessel. It is introduced in a compressed form and released in the vessel to hold it open. When there is fabric around the metal structure of the stent so that it is impervious to blood flow we call it a stent-graft. Alloys are used for stents. Most are not magnetic, and do not cause allergic reactions. V Vein a blood vessel returning blood to the heart under low pressure, many have valves in them to direct flow in one direction. The blood is lower in oxygen in peripheral veins and is darker red / purple in colour