Skills and Procedures

The diagram illustrating a heart with tricuspid atresia and its transformation following a Fontan procedure offers a detailed comparison of congenital heart defect anatomy and surgical correction. This medical image serves as a vital educational tool for medical students, cardiologists, and healthcare professionals aiming to understand the structural challenges of tricuspid atresia and the surgical strategies employed to improve circulation. By examining the labeled parts, this guide provides a comprehensive exploration of the heart’s condition before and after the procedure, highlighting the clinical significance of this intervention.

The Norwood procedure is a critical surgical intervention for infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe congenital heart defect. This article provides an in-depth look at the Norwood surgical correction, as illustrated in the medical image, offering a detailed anatomical and procedural breakdown. Designed for medical students and professionals, this guide explores the surgical technique, its significance in treating HLHS, and the anatomical structures involved, ensuring a thorough understanding of this life-saving operation.

The image displays a recently inserted temporary dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter positioned in the left internal jugular vein of a patient. This type of central venous access device serves as a crucial but temporary vascular access option for patients requiring urgent or short-term hemodialysis treatment. The catheter features two color-coded lumens—red for arterial (blood withdrawal) and blue for venous (blood return)—that facilitate the extracorporeal blood circuit necessary for dialysis.

Implanted venous access ports represent a significant advancement in long-term vascular access technology that combines reliable function with enhanced patient comfort and reduced infection risk. As illustrated in the image, these totally implantable devices consist of a reservoir (port) with a self-sealing septum connected to a catheter that extends through the venous system to terminate near the heart. Unlike external catheters, the entire system resides beneath the skin, requiring no external components when not in use.

Tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) represent a specialized type of long-term vascular access device designed for patients requiring extended intravenous therapy. Unlike standard central lines, tunneled CVCs feature a subcutaneous tract between the venous entry site and the exit point on the skin, providing enhanced infection protection and improved stability. The image illustrates the anatomical positioning of a tunneled CVC, showing its path from the external exit site through a subcutaneous tunnel, into the right subclavian vein, and ultimately terminating in the superior vena cava near the right atrium.

The proper emptying of urinary drainage bags represents a critical component of comprehensive catheter care that significantly impacts infection prevention and overall patient safety. The image illustrates the correct technique for emptying a urinary collection bag, showing a healthcare provider wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (blue gloves) while draining urine from the bag into a calibrated container.

Proper positioning and secure attachment of urinary drainage bags are essential components of effective catheter management that significantly impact patient comfort, system functionality, and complication prevention. When patients require urinary catheterization, either through indwelling (Foley) catheters or external collection systems, the drainage bag must be positioned correctly to ensure unobstructed urine flow while minimizing the risk of reflux, infection, and accidental dislodgement. The image demonstrates the recommended technique for securing a leg bag to the thigh of an ambulatory patient with a condom catheter.

Implanted vascular access ports represent a significant advancement in long-term intravenous therapy, providing reliable access for patients requiring repeated administration of medications, blood products, or nutritional support. These subcutaneously implanted devices consist of a central catheter connected to a reservoir housed within a durable port body, which is surgically placed beneath the skin, typically in the upper chest area as shown in the image.

he pulmonary arterial catheter (PAC), also known as the Swan-Ganz catheter, represents one of the most significant advances in critical care medicine for hemodynamic monitoring. This specialized diagnostic tool is inserted through a central vein and advanced through the right heart chambers into the pulmonary artery, allowing direct measurement of cardiac pressures and function in critically ill patients.

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) through the neck into the trachea to establish a direct airway. This detailed medical illustration depicts the post-tracheotomy state, showing a tracheal cannula properly positioned within the tracheal stoma. The procedure serves as a critical intervention for patients requiring long-term ventilation support, those with upper airway obstruction, or individuals unable to clear secretions effectively. Understanding the anatomical relationships and components involved in tracheostomy management is essential for healthcare professionals to provide optimal patient care, prevent complications, and ensure proper functioning of this life-sustaining airway.

he illustration depicts a central venous catheter (CVC) secured to a patient's skin using suture fixation, one of the most traditional and widely practiced methods for preventing catheter displacement and migration.

Delve into the detailed illustration of percutaneous Central Venous Catheter (CVC) insertion techniques, highlighting the subclavian and internal jugular vein approaches. This medical image serves as an essential educational tool for medical students and professionals, offering insights into the anatomy and procedural steps involved in CVC placement. Gain a comprehensive understanding of these critical vascular access methods used in clinical practice.

Explore the intricacies of a non-tunneled Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) with this detailed medical illustration. This image provides a clear view of the device’s components and placement, serving as an essential resource for medical students and professionals learning about vascular access techniques. Understand the anatomy, procedure, and clinical applications of this critical medical tool through this comprehensive guide.

A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, commonly known as a PICC line, is an essential medical device that provides prolonged intravenous access for patients requiring long-term medication administration, nutritional support, or frequent blood sampling. This thin, flexible tube is inserted through a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the tip reaches a central vein near the heart. PICC lines have revolutionized patient care by reducing the need for repeated needle sticks and providing a reliable vascular access route for extended periods, ranging from weeks to months.