This document summarizes three common cardiovascular procedures: valve replacement, angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass graft. [1] Valve replacement involves removing a defective heart valve and replacing it with an artificial or biological valve through an incision in the breastbone. [2] Angioplasty, also known as balloon angioplasty, involves inserting a balloon catheter into a coronary artery and inflating the balloon to widen the vessel and compress plaque. [3] Coronary artery bypass graft is an open-heart surgery where a leg vein is grafted onto the aorta and coronary artery to reroute blood around a blockage and prevent heart attacks.

1. Procedures of the
Cardiovascular System
Nathaniel Namowicz
Biology 120

2. Valve Replacement
● Removal and replacement of a defective heart valve with an artificial or
biological valve.
● Invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia, a large cut is made
to the breastbone to reach the heart and aorta. The heart is stopped and the
CS is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to continue oxygenating the
blood.
← This image shows an artificial heart
valve being inserted, the plastic
tubes on the right are connected to a
heart-lung bypass machine. Artificial
valves are more durable than biological
replacements but the patient will need
to continuously take blood-thinning
medication for life.

3. Angioplasty
Also known as Percutaneous Coronary Interventions [PCI], Balloon
Angioplasty, Coronary Artery Balloon Dilation, and percutaneous
transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
● Minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct localized narrowing
of artery.
● Involves the insertion of a balloon catheter through the skin into
the coronary artery, the balloon is dilated to help widen the vessel
and compress plague blocking the artery.
← Often times a stent is implanted during
the procedure to help the artery remain open
and decrease the chance of another blockage

4. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
● Open-heart procedure where (usually) the saphenous vein (leg vein) is
grafted onto the aorta and coronary artery to reroute blood around a blockage.
● The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, a significant
blockage will lead to death of the heart muscle. This is a myocardial infarction, or
“heart attack.”
.
← This picture illustrates a single-bypass graft.
1-5 coronary arteries can be bypassed,
depending on the number of blockages.

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