Cardiology

Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) is a surgical procedure that is performed in cases of severe coronary artery obstruction brought on by conditions such as atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis. As its name suggests, the goal of the intervention is to restore blood flow by bypassing the obstructed sections.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of the thoracic artery caused by its wall’s weakness. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are most often asymptomatic and are usually detected accidentally during tests performed for other reasons (i.e. chest CT or X-ray or an echocardiogram).

When symptoms do present, they include:

A mitral valve replacement surgery may be in cases of mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation. The procedure is usually performed as an open heart surgery. During the operation the damaged valve is removed and a prosthesis is inserted in its place.

Heart surgery is an umbrella term describing multiple types of interventions on the cardiac muscle. These include CABG, valve replacement, arrhythmia treatment, pacemaker implantation, and so on. Israeli medical centers Assuta and Sheba Tel HaShomer are considered world leaders in this field.

HCM, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, refers to an enlargement of a portion of the heart muscle, which leads to functional impairment. It is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death. While it can lead to shortness of breath, angina, palpitations and syncope, it is often asymptomatic until sudden cardiac death. That is why heart specialists recommend regular screenings for people at risk of developing the condition.

Atrial fibrillation, also called AF or A-Fib, is a condition that is characterized by the atria (upper chambers) beating rapidly and irregularly. Risk factors for its development involve hypertension, valvular or coronary artery disease, obesity, sleep apnea and COPD. Episodes tend to be mild in the early stages but tend to progress over time. They include shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pains, lightheadedness and syncope.

The term varicosis or varicose veins describes enlarged and twisted veins. The condition most commonly affects lower extremities (though can occur in other areas as well) and is more prevalent among women than men.