What is a sternotomy? A sternotomy is a surgical opening in the middle of the chest at the breastbone (sternum) to provide access to the chest cavity for heart procedures or other thoracic surgeries. A sternotomy is a surgical incision made through the breastbone (sternum) to access the thoracic cavity. A median sternotomy is the …

What is general anesthesia? Anesthesia is routinely administered to put patients to sleep during surgery, but it comes with inherent risks. General anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness induced under medical supervision for certain types of surgery. Typically, an anesthesiologist administers a combination of medicines to make the patient unconscious and relax the muscles. General anesthesia prevents the patient from …

What is an exploratory laparotomy? An exploratory laparotomy involves opening the abdominal cavity to see the extent of damage inside, remove any leaking gastric contents and fix injuries. This is often done in trauma emergencies, but also for some bowel cancers, depending on their progression. An exploratory laparotomy is an open surgical procedure for visual examination of the abdominal organs, …

What are heart sounds? Using a stethoscope to assess different sounds the heart makes is an important diagnostic tool. Heart sounds are generated by blood flowing in and out of the heart’s chambers through the valves as they open and close. Listening to the heart sounds through a stethoscope (auscultation) is one of the first steps a physician takes in …

What is an esophageal manometry? Esophageal manometry uses pressure sensors to test the function of the muscles in the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the throat and the stomach. The esophagus moves the food down to the stomach with wave-like contractions initiated by swallowing. This process is known as peristalsis. A valve-like ring of muscles at …

What test methods to doctors use to detect and diagnose COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)? There are two kinds of tests necessary for a complete picture of your COVID-19 coronavirus infection status: genetic and immunoglobulin. Tests for coronavirus may use two methods to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia.  The tests are:  genomic detection-based (molecular) …

What does continuous positive airway pressure mean? CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines pump air into the lungs of people who have breathing problems — usually sleep apnea. CPAP machines should not be used for COVID-19 coronavirus patients as they spread the virus farther. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) means maintaining a constant air pressure in a person’s airway by …

What is azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)? Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and clarithromycin (Biaxin). Azithromycin is effective against susceptible bacteria causing: Otitis media (infection of the middle ear) Tonsillitis Laryngitis Bronchitis Pneumonia Sinusitis Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections Mycobacterium avium complex Acute bacterial flare ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) It also is effective …

What is mechanical ventilation? People with the most severe lung symptoms from COVID-19 coronavirus disease need mechanical ventilation to stay alive. Experts fear a shortage of breathing machines in the U.S., considering the pandemic. Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on their own. A mechanical ventilator …

What is pericardiocentesis? Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain excess fluid from the heart's protective sack (pericardium). Pericardiocentesis is an invasive procedure to remove fluid from the protective sac (pericardium) around the heart. Pericardium is a thin, two-layered sac with a small amount of fluid. Pericardiocentesis is a procedure by which excessive pericardial fluid (pericardial effusion) is drained. Fluid removed …