LAAO stands for left atrial appendage occlusion. It is a way to close off the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the left upper chamber of the heart. LAAO is most commonly discussed for people with atrial fibrillation (AF) who need stroke prevention. It can be done with catheter-based devices or during heart surgery, depending on the case.
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion is a way to close off a small pouch in the left atrium of the heart called the left atrial appendage. It is most commonly discussed for people with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm that can raise stroke risk. The goal is to reduce the chance that blood clots form in that pouch and travel to the brain. It can be done with catheter-based devices or with surgical techniques, depending on the situation.
Transcatheter Mitral Repair is a minimally invasive way to treat certain forms of mitral regurgitation (a leaking mitral valve). It uses catheters (thin tubes) inserted through blood vessels rather than open-heart surgery. It is most commonly performed in specialized heart valve centers with a dedicated “heart team.” It is often considered when symptoms persist and surgical risk is high or when anatomy is suitable for a catheter-based approach.
MitraClip is a catheter-based heart device used to treat certain types of mitral regurgitation (a leaky mitral valve). It is delivered through a blood vessel and attached to the mitral valve leaflets to help them close more effectively. It is commonly used in structural heart programs for people who are not ideal candidates for open-heart surgery. The approach is often described as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve.
TAVI stands for **transcatheter aortic valve implantation**. It is a **minimally invasive, catheter-based** way to replace the heart’s **aortic valve**. It is most commonly used to treat **aortic stenosis**, especially when symptoms or valve severity warrant intervention.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. It is commonly used to treat severe aortic stenosis, a condition that restricts blood flow out of the heart. A new valve is delivered through a catheter (a thin tube), most often from an artery in the leg. Clinicians may also refer to it as TAVI (or sometimes TAVR), depending on regional terminology.
TAVR stands for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. It is a minimally invasive way to replace a diseased aortic valve without traditional open-heart surgery. It is most commonly used to treat severe aortic stenosis, especially when symptoms are present. It is performed by a specialized heart team in a hospital setting with catheter-based equipment.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve. It is most commonly used to treat severe aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the valve that limits blood flow out of the heart. Instead of open-heart surgery, the replacement valve is delivered through a catheter (a thin tube), usually from an artery in the leg. It is performed in specialized heart centers by a multidisciplinary “heart team.”
Valve Repair is a set of procedures used to fix a heart valve that is not closing or opening normally. It aims to restore the valve’s function while keeping the patient’s own valve tissue in place. It is most commonly discussed for the mitral valve and tricuspid valve, and sometimes for the aortic valve. It may be performed with open-heart surgery or, in selected cases, with catheter-based (minimally invasive) techniques.
Valve Replacement is a treatment that swaps a diseased heart valve for a new valve device. It is used when a native valve cannot open or close properly and blood flow is affected. It is commonly performed for aortic or mitral valve disease and can be done surgically or by catheter-based methods. The goal is to restore more normal forward blood flow and reduce strain on the heart.
Off-Pump CABG is a type of coronary artery bypass surgery performed while the heart is still beating. It aims to restore blood flow to heart muscle when coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. Unlike traditional bypass, it is done without using a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass). It is commonly used in selected patients needing surgical revascularization for coronary artery disease.
CABG stands for **coronary artery bypass grafting**. It is a heart surgery used to improve blood flow to the heart muscle when coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. It is commonly performed in hospitals with cardiothoracic surgery services and intensive cardiac monitoring. It is one form of **coronary revascularization**, meaning restoration of blood supply to heart tissue.
Coronary Bypass Surgery is an operation that creates new routes for blood to reach the heart muscle. It is most commonly used for coronary artery disease, where the heart’s own arteries become narrowed or blocked. The goal is to improve blood flow beyond the blockage and reduce symptoms or risk in selected patients. It is also called coronary artery bypass grafting (often abbreviated CABG).
IVL is short for **intravascular lithotripsy**. It is a catheter-based technique used to treat **hard, calcified plaque** inside blood vessels. IVL is most commonly used during **coronary** and **peripheral** endovascular procedures. It helps clinicians prepare a narrowed artery so other treatments, like stenting, can work as intended.
Intravascular Lithotripsy is a catheter-based technique used to treat hardened calcium inside blood vessel walls. It uses small, controlled pressure waves to modify calcium so a vessel can be widened more safely and predictably. It is most commonly used during coronary artery procedures (heart arteries) and some peripheral artery procedures (leg arteries).
Orbital Atherectomy is a catheter-based technique used to modify hard, calcified plaque inside an artery. It is most commonly used as a “lesion preparation” step before angioplasty or stent placement. Clinicians use it in coronary arteries (heart arteries) and in some peripheral arteries (such as leg arteries).
Rotational Atherectomy is a catheter-based technique used to modify hardened plaque inside an artery. It is most commonly used during coronary angioplasty procedures for coronary artery disease. Its goal is to make severe calcium in a narrowing easier to treat with balloons and stents. It is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory by interventional cardiology teams.
Atherectomy is a catheter-based procedure that removes plaque from inside an artery. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, calcium, and scar-like tissue that can narrow blood flow. Atherectomy is most commonly used in arteries of the legs and sometimes in coronary (heart) arteries. It is usually performed as part of an endovascular (minimally invasive) approach to improve circulation.
Thrombectomy is a medical procedure to remove a blood clot (thrombus) from a blood vessel. It is used when a clot is blocking blood flow and may threaten an organ or limb. It is commonly discussed in stroke care, heart and vascular medicine, and interventional radiology. The goal is to reopen the blocked vessel and restore circulation.
BMS usually means **bare-metal stent**. It is a small metal mesh tube placed inside an artery to help keep it open. BMS is most commonly discussed in **coronary artery disease** during catheter-based procedures. It can also be used in selected **peripheral artery** situations, depending on the vessel and device.