Catheter: Rubber or plastic tubes placed in arteries, veins, urinary tracts, backs, etc. to add fluids to, or drain fluids from, the body.
A-Line: This catheter, also known as an arterial line, is placed into an artery (usually in the wrist) and is used to measure your blood pressure and to also sample your blood.
CVP Line: This catheter, also known as a central line, is placed into a vein (usually the large vein in the neck) and is used to measure your central venous pressure and give medications, fluids, and/or blood as needed during surgery.
Swan Ganz: This catheter, also known as a PA catheter, is placed through a CVP line and is used to measure the amount of blood being pumped by the heart.
Intubation: The act of placing a breathing tube into the patient’s airway.
Induction: The beginning of general anesthesia when the patient goes from a conscious state to an unconscious state.
Emergence: The end of general anesthesia when the anesthetic is reversed (stopped) and the patient goes from an unconscious state to a conscious state.
MAC: Monitored Anesthesia Care (also known as MAC), is a sedated state that may also include moments of general anesthesia. Although amnesia is common during this type of anesthesia, it is not the primary goal of the anesthesia provider.
Preparing for Surgery | Day
of Surgery (Before) | Day
of Surgery (Operation) | Day
of Surgery (After)
Frequently Asked Questions | Glossary
of Terms
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