Final answer:
The 'A' in the V-A shunt procedure stands for Atrial, referring to the atrial chamber of the heart where the excess cerebrospinal fluid is redirected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The letter A in the term V-A shunt procedure stands for Atrial. In this context, a shunt is a device used to treat hydrocephalus, which involves the drainage of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain's ventricles to another part of the body where it can be absorbed. This is typically done by inserting one end of the catheter into the ventricles of the brain (hence the 'V') and the other end into the atrial chamber of the heart, thus the designation 'A' for atrial, not abdominal, aortic, or axillary.