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Brigham and Women's Hospital

Our Mission

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a top Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our innovations in virtually every area of clinical care, along with our history of breakthrough discoveries and medical firsts, have improved the health of people around the world.

Activity

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What can I expect during carotid endarterectomy?
    Generally, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery for carotid artery disease follows this process:
    1. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand. An additional catheter will be inserted in your wrist to monitor your blood pressure, as well as for obtaining blood samples. One
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is a carotid artery duplex scan?
    A carotid artery duplex scan is a type of vascular ultrasound study done to assess the blood flow of the arteries that supply blood from the heart through the neck to the brain. There are six carotid arteries -- the right and left common carotid arteries, which divide and form the right and...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) surgery?
    Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a minimally invasive (without a large incision) procedure used to open the blocked or narrowed femoral artery and to restore arterial blood flow to the lower leg without open vascular surgery. After the procedure you will be taken to the recovery...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)?
    Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a minimally invasive (without a large incision) procedure used to open the blocked or narrowed femoral artery and to restore arterial blood flow to the lower leg without open vascular surgery. Generally, a PTA of the femoral artery procedure...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens after femoral popliteal bypass surgery?
    Femoral popliteal (also called femoropopliteal) bypass surgery is a surgical procedure that may be used to treat severe blockage due to plaque in the femoral artery. The femoral and popliteal arteries are located in the legs. Their function is to supply oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens during a femoropopliteal bypass?
    Femoral popliteal (also called femoropopliteal) bypass surgery is a surgical procedure that may be used to treat severe blockage due to plaque in the femoral artery. The femoral and popliteal arteries are located in the legs. Their function is to supply oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens before femoral popliteal bypass surgery?
    Femoral popliteal (also called femoropopliteal) bypass surgery is a surgical procedure that may be used to treat severe blockage due to plaque in the femoral artery. The femoral and popliteal arteries are located in the legs. Their function is to supply oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)?
    Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) creates new pathways around the areas of your blocked arteries, allowing blood flow to be restored. Your blocked coronary arteries are bypassed with an artery or vein taken from another part of your body (leg, chest, or arm).

    After the surgery...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens after heart valve repair surgery?
    After heart valve repair or replacement surgery (a treatment option for valvular heart disease) you may be taken to the recovery room before being taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) to be closely monitored for several days. Alternatively, you may be taken directly to the ICU from the...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens before coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)?
    Your heart contains coronary arteries that can become diseased when cholesterol builds up to form plaque in the lining of the artery. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) creates new pathways around the areas of your blocked arteries, allowing blood flow to be restored. Your blocked...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How does the electrical conduction system of the heart work?
    The heart is, in the simplest terms, a pump made up of muscle tissue. The heart's pumping action is regulated by an electrical conduction system that coordinates the contraction of the various chambers of the heart.

    An electrical stimulus is generated by the sinus node (also called the s...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens during a Holter monitor test?
    The Holter monitor is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) used to monitor the ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer. A standard or "resting" ECG is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate the heart. A Holter monitor recording is generally performed...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens before heart valve repair surgery?
    Heart valve repair or replacement surgery is a treatment option for valvular heart disease. (When heart valves become damaged or diseased, they may not function properly). Before a heart valve repair procedure:
    • Your physician will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is a Holter monitor?
    The Holter monitor is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) used to monitor the ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer. A standard or "resting" ECG is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches) are placed...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are the risks of heart valve repair surgery?
    Heart valve repair or replacement surgery is a treatment option for valvular heart disease. When heart valves become damaged or diseased, they may not function properly.

    Possible risks associated with heart valve repair or replacement surgery include, but are not limited to, the following:...  Full Post