Removal of an embolism, such as a stroke, or pulmonary embolism. A femoral embolectomy is a surgical procedure where the femoral vessel is cut into and cleared with a Fogarty catheter.

“An invasion.” Some object moving to where it should not be! This can be a blood clot, in which case it refers to a clot which has formed elsewhere, then broken away to block a different artery. A clot which forms directly in an atherosclerotic vessel is not an embolus. Purposeful embolisation with foreign material like glue is an IR technique to stop bleeding or block blood supply to a tumour.

When contrast is injected, spaces where it does not mix with flowing blood must contain a foreign body. In an angiogram of an artery, this is usually a clot. In a cholangiogram of the biliary tree, this could be a gallstone.

a device placed in a blood vessel to catch clots. Filters in the IVC can prevent DVTs from becoming pulmonary emboli.

On special MRI sequences, the flow of blood can be measured because it moves in space between magnetisation and radiofrequency pulses. Usually the flow means the blood does not generate an electromagnetic signal, so it shows up as black.

Fluoro, or fluoroscopy is multiple xray exposures that produce a digital 2D video.

Preventing blood from clotting inside an endovascular catheter by aspirating the contents and then flushing with a mixture of heparin and saline.

A material that water clings to. Wires made from this move into lumens very quickly, but can get sticky. If you are assisting, you may need to wipe or flush the wire.

II = image intensifier. Technically the TV screen for fluoroscopy, but can be used to refer to the whole fluoroscopy system.

The place where the proximal edge of stent-graft “lands”. To make a good seal with the vessel, it should not have a tapering shape, and of course shouldn’t block any branch vessels.

The hollow part of a tube such as a blood vessel

Literally means to pierce at the side. This is an ascitic drain or an abdominal drain.