The vagus nerves are paired nerves on each side of the body which carry parasympathetic impulses to the heart and other body organs. These impulses slow the heart when it is beating too quickly.
Valvuloplasty
Valvuloplasty is a procedure usually performed to treat a stenotic valve. During this procedure the surgeon opens up the narrowed valve. This can be done with an incision, while on cardiopulmonary bypass, or in certain cases by closed heart techniques. In a balloon valvuloplasty, a small deflated balloon is guided into a valve opening via a catheter (hollow tube). Once inside the valve opening, the balloon is inflated. These procedures help to widen the valve, thereby permitting an increased blood flow.
Vein
A vein is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood to the heart. (The only exception is the pulmonary vein.) Blood from the veins enter the right atrium of the heart through the vena cava.
Vena Cava (Pl. Venae Cavae)
The superior and the inferior vena cava both deliver oxygen-poor blood into the right atrium of the heart. The superior vena cava draws blood from above the diaphragm, while the inferior vena cava draws blood from below.
Venous Access
A procedure that provides catheter or implanted port access to a patient's venous system for the purpose of administering IV fluids.
Ventricle
The right and left ventricles are the two muscular lower chambers of the heart. The right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood received from the right atrium out to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood received from the left atrium out to the body through the aorta.
