Introduction
This assignment is focused on creating a parenthetical, sentence, and expanded definition of a relatively complex term. It is directed at a non-specialized reader for the purpose of providing a general understanding.
Parenthetical Definition
An angioplasty (surgical clearing of blocked blood vessel) was needed after the patient suffered a heart attack due to fat buildup in their arteries.
Sentence Definition
An angioplasty is a surgical procedure performed to clear a blood vessel blockage. This is accomplished by inserting a small ballooning device into the blood vessel to restore normal blood flow.
Expanded Definition
Where does it come from?
The term angioplasty is a compound of two etymons (word parts used to create new words), angio- and -plasty (Oxford English Dictionary [OED], 2021). The etymon angio- is of Latin origin, and it is commonly used in words that refer to blood or vessels in the body (OED, 2020a). Further, -plasty has roots in ancient Greek and is used in terms relating to moulding or shaping bodily components (OED, 2020b). It is often used in the names of other surgeries such as rhinoplasty, which is a procedure that alters the shape of the nose. When considered together, angio- and -plasty can be clearly understood as a procedure which alters the blood vessels.
What is the history?
The first angioplasty was performed in the 1960s by Dotter and Judkins, although the technique of using tube-like devices to widen bodily passages can be dated back to 300 B.C. (Mueller & Sanborn, 1994). In their early angioplasty, Dotter and Judkins used thin tubes of increasing diameters to expand a narrowed artery and improve blood flow (Dotter & Judkins, 1964).
Figure 1
Arterial Angioplasty
Note. The process of angioplasty using a catheter and balloon to remove blockage caused by arterial plaque. From [Labeled diagram of angioplasty], by Johns Hopkins Medicine, (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/2_-treatment/cardiovascular/coronary-artery-disease-treatment/pcardio20140402v0001.ashx?h=360&iar=0&mh=360&mw=520&w=488&hash=1B3493F19CF38310CB5F071DC1534CF3)
Figure 2
Arterial Angioplasty with Stent
Note. The process of angioplasty using a catheter, balloon, and stent to treat a blockage caused by arterial plaque. From [Labeled diagram of angioplasty with stent], by Johns Hopkins Medicine, (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/2_-treatment/cardiovascular/coronary-artery-disease-treatment/pcardio20140402v1001.ashx?h=347&iar=0&mh=360&mw=520&w=520&hash=05715040662E5B85E9709A5ABF2471BA)
How does it work?
In recent times, angioplasty has become more sophisticated. A catheter (flexible tube) is inserted into the affected blood vessel and a balloon is inflated until appropriate blood flow is restored (Grines et al., 1999). The subsequent use of a stent (tube used to reinforce blood vessel) has been shown to produce more favourable post-operative results than angioplasty alone (Grines et al., 1999). In their 1999 study, Grines et al. found that patients who had a stent implanted displayed wider blood vessel widths versus those who only underwent angioplasty. Figure 1 shows the basic method of angioplasty, while Figure 2 includes stent placement.
References
Dotter, C. T., & Judkins, M. P. (1964). Transluminal treatment of arteriosclerotic obstruction. Description of a new technic and a preliminary report of its application. Circulation, 30(5), 654-670. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.30.5.654
Grines, C. L., Cox, D. A., Stone, G. W., Garcia, E., Mattos, L. A., Giambartolomei, A., Brodie, B. R., Madonna, O., Eijgelshoven, M., Lansky, A. J., O’Neill, W. W., & Morice, M. (1999). Coronary angioplasty with or without stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 341(26), 1949-1956. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199912233412601
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). [Labeled diagram of angioplasty]. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/2_-treatment/cardiovascular/coronary-artery-disease-treatment/pcardio20140402v0001.ashx?h=360&iar=0&mh=360&mw=520&w=488&hash=1B3493F19CF38310CB5F071DC1534CF3
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). [Labeled diagram of angioplasty with stent]. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/2_-treatment/cardiovascular/coronary-artery-disease-treatment/pcardio20140402v1001.ashx?h=347&iar=0&mh=360&mw=520&w=520&hash=05715040662E5B85E9709A5ABF2471BA
Mueller, R. L., & Sanborn, T. A. (1995). The history of interventional cardiology: Cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and related interventions. The American Heart Journal, 129(1), 146-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-8703(95)90055-1
Oxford English Dictionary. (2020a). Angio-, comb. form. In Oxford English Dictionary Online. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/7518#eid3512631
Oxford English Dictionary. (2020b). -plasty, comb. form. In Oxford English Dictionary Online. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/145330#eid30047920
Oxford English Dictionary. (2021). Angioplasty, n. In Oxford English Dictionary Online. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/240988?redirectedFrom=angioplasty&
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