Coarctation of the Aorta Before Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta (the large vessel which carries blood that is rich in oxygen to the body). Notice how injection of the contrast dye reveals the severe narrowing of the aorta between its upper and lower segments. This creates a severe obstruction to the normal flow of blood in this vessel.
Coarctation of the Aorta During Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates how coarctation of the aorta is treated with a stent (a wire device designed to keep narrow areas of blood vessels open). Notice how the stent is mounted on a special balloon which is inflated at the site of the coarctation in order to implant the stent. The balloon is then deflated and removed from the body and the stent remains in place..
Coarctation of the Aorta After Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates the result of coarctation of the aorta treated with a stent. Notice how the narrowed area has been nicely opened up with the stent and is no longer obstructed.
Left Pulmonary Artery Before Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates narrowing of the left pulmonary artery (the vessel that carries blood to the left lung to pick up oxygen). Notice how injection of contrast dye reveals significant narrowing in this blood vessel.
Left Pulmonary Artery After Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates the result of left pulmonary artery narrowing treated with a stent. Notice how the narrowed area has been nicely opened up making much easier for blood to flow to the left lung.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Before Device Closure: This movie demonstrates the presence of a PDA (a blood vessel normally present in all babies before they are born that normally closes a few days after birth). In some people, most commonly in babies born prematurely, this blood vessel remains open and allows blood that already has circulated through the lungs to pick up oxygen, to inefficiently circulate through the lungs again.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) During Device Closure: This movie demonstrates how a PDA is closed with a wire mesh device. Notice how the device is positioned inside the PDA. The injection of contrast dye demonstrates how the device appropriately prevents any blood from flowing through the PDA. Also notice how the device is still attached to a cable. This cable allows proper delivery and positioning of the device.
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Before Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates the narrowed connection between the right ventricle (the right lower pumping chamber of the heart) and the pulmonary artery (the major vessel that carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen). Notice how the connection between the two structures is severely narrowed and obstructed. This places a much greater work load on the right ventricle than is normal.
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract After Stent Placement: This movie demonstrates how the narrow right ventricular to pulmonary artery connection is treated with a stent. Notice how the narrowed area has been opened up. Relief of this obstructed connection with a stent makes it much easier for the right ventricle to pump blood to the lungs.