Blood that leaves the heart. When it leaves the right ventricle, it is venous blood; and when it leaves the left ventricle, through the aorta, it is fresh, hot, oxygenated red stuff. After it has passed out to the capillaries and started to return, it is venous blood.
An operation to repair arteries that are narrowed, blocked, or weakened. Arterial reconstructive surgery is most often performed to repair arteries that have been narrowed by atherosclerosis. It is also used to repair aneurysms and arteries damaged as a result of injury. (See also angioplasty, balloon; coronary artery bypass; endarterectomy.)... arterial reconstructive surgery
a narrow *catheter inserted into an artery for the purposes of continuous monitoring or blood gas analysis. It is used for short periods during phases of acute or critical illness and should be clearly labelled to prevent inadvertent use as a medication conduit. The femoral, axillary, or posterior tibial arteries can be used as insertion sites.... arterial line
Health Encyclopedia