Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. An American suffers from a myocardial infarction approximately every 40 seconds. On average, men are 65 years old and women are 72 years old at the time…
Background Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting and can consist of continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD), continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Each of these procedures involves the slow…
Background Continuous glucose monitoring devices provide a way for patients to approximate their blood glucose by testing the interstitial fluid via the chemical reaction of fluorescence, every 1 to 5 minutes, with minimal “fingerstick” point-of-care glucose testing. These devices are…
Background A computed tomography (CT) scan is a noninvasive imaging modality that uses rotating X-ray beams and detectors to produce high-quality cross-sectional imaging of anatomic structures. The word “tomography” comes from the words “tomos” meaning “slice” and “graph” meaning “recording,”…
Background A chest X-ray (CXR) is a noninvasive imaging procedure that uses ionizing radiation to produce a shadow image of the anatomic structures in the thoracic cavity. The term “X-ray” refers to the type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation used in…
Background A thoracostomy tube is a hollow plastic tube or catheter that is used to drain air, fluid, pus, or blood from the intrathoracic space ( Fig. 15.1 ). The word “thoracostomy” combines the prefix “thoraco” meaning “chest wall” and…
Background Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of plaque from the carotid arteries. Carotid arteries are the two major arteries located in the neck, which branch off from the aorta and supply blood to the…
Background Bronchoscopy is an endoscopic technique used to visualize the tracheobronchial tree for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The word “bronchoscopy” is derived from Greek words by combining the prefix “broncho” meaning “bronchus” and the verb “skopía” meaning “to view.” Rigid…
Background A bladder scan is a portable noninvasive ultrasound device that measures the volume of urine in the bladder by using ultrasound waves measured in three dimensions. The machine calculates a volume measurement of urine in the bladder without displaying…
Background Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is any procedure intended to reduce weight in patients with morbid obesity. Bariatric, translated from Greek, literally means “weight medicine.” Bariatric surgery procedures are classified as restrictive (reduced stomach size; limiting the amount…