Gated Blood Pool Scan: An x-ray analysis of how blood pools in the heart during rest and exercise. The test makes use of a radioactive substance injected into the blood to tag or label red cells. The test provides an estimate of the heart’s overall ability to pump and its ability to compensate for one or more blocked arteries.
Genetic Testing: Blood tests that study a person’s genes to find out if he or she is at risk for certain diseases that are passed down through family members.
Guidewire: A small, bendable wire that is threaded through an artery; it helps doctors position a catheter so they can perform angioplasty or stent procedures. The guidewire is small enough that it can be inserted into the vessel through a needle, but it is also stiff enough to be threaded “up” the artery.
