Blog 8

1. What are the main factors of a successful angioplasty procedure?

• A factor for a successful angioplasty would be the knowledge of the coronary arteries. How can you navigate the heart without knowing which arteries to enter or what artery contains the blockage.
• Sanitation is a key component in every invasive procedure but most crucial dealing with a vital organ. The key to cleanliness is sterilization and temperature monitoring of the environment, keeping it cool.   

3. My most valuable source would have to be a duo. I have a source of a medical article called "Angioplasty with Stent Placement for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina" which focuses on the principles of angioplasty and stenting and "Coronary Anatomy and Blood Flow" which deals with the hearts blood circulation and anatomy with precise names and locations.

4. My mentor is Oralia Aragon, nurse practitioner of the Cardiology Department at Keck Hospital at USC. She deals with patients that have had angioplasties and other procedures for the heart as well as other parts of the body, diagnosing and informing the patients of what is going on.