Radial Artery
The radial artery is the blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood in the forearm. You can feel the pulse of the radial artery by feeling the forearm just underneath the thumb. There are three arteries in the normal forearm that carry blood to the hand.
Radioactive Tracer
A low-dose radioactive dye or contrast medium injected into a blood vessel as part of an imaging procedure.
Radiofrequency
An invasive procedure that involves heating tissue in order to destroy it.; used to treat some types of rapid heart rhythms.
Radionuclide Study (MUGA)
A nuclear scan that evaluates the pumping function of the ventricles. chambers and how your heart contracts. During this test, a small amount of radioactive isotope is injected in your bloodstream through an IV line and a scanner records its movement through the heart's ventricles.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Spasms of the small arteries of the fingers, and sometimes, the toes, brought on by exposure to cold or excitement.
Red blood Cell (erythrocyte, red cell, red corpuscle)
Red blood cell that delivers oxygen to tissues and removes carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Recipient
A patient who receives an organ, tissue or blood from another person.
Regurgitation
Leaking or backward flow.
Rejection
The process by which the body tries to get rid of a transplanted organ or tissue by producing antibodies. Immunosuppressive drugs help to prevent rejection.
Renal Artery Disease
Most commonly caused by atherosclerosis of the renal arteries (see above). It occurs in people with generalized vascular disease.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Narrowing or blockage of an artery to the kidney which may lead to high blood pressure or kidney damage.
Renal Artery Ultrasound
A non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the arteries supplying the kidneys to determine the presence of narrowing.
Renin
An enzyme produced by the kidney. Renin is released into the bloodstream by the kidneys in order to regulate blood pressure
Required Request
Hospitals must tell the families of suitable donors that their loved one's organs and tissues can be used for transplant. This law is expected to increase the number of donated organs and tissues used for transplantation.
Resident Physician
A doctor who works closely with the primary physician to manage a patient's daily care. The resident is a licensed medical school graduate doing further training in one of the specialties of medicine.
Rest Pain
Near constant pain in the hand or foot because of decreased artery blood flow.
Restenosis
The closing or narrowing of an artery that was previously opened by a cardiac procedure such as angioplasty.
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory reaction of the heart, usually involving the valves as a consequence of streptococcal infection.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic Fever can lead to a condition known as rheumatic heart disease. This is usually a thickening and stenosis of one or more of the heart valves and often requires surgery, to repair or replace the involved valve (s).
Rheumatic Valve Disease
Rheumatic Valve Disease is a consequence of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic valve disease is a thickening and stenosis of one or more of the heart valves and often requires surgery to repair or replace the affected valve(s).
Retransplantation
Due to organ rejection or transplant failure, some patients return to the waiting list. Reducing the number of retransplants is a critical concern when examining ways to maximize a limited supply of organs.
Right Ventricular Biopsy
The removal of a small piece of heart tissue from your right ventricle. This tissue sample is studied under a microscope to help your doctor assess your heart muscle.
Risk Factor (for heart disease)
Traits people have that are linked to the development and progression of coronary artery disease.
Modifiable risk factors -- related to lifestyle and may be changed or controlled
Non-modifiable risk factors--- related to aging and genetics; cannot be changed
Rotoblation (Percutaneous Transluminal Rotational Atherectomy or PCRA)
A special catheter, with an acorn-shaped diamond-coated tip, is guided to the point of narrowing in the coronary artery. The tip spins around at a high speed and grinds away the plaque on the artery walls. The microscopic particles are washed safely away in your blood stream and filtered out by the liver and spleen. This process is repeated as needed to allow better blood flow.
Rupture
Break
