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AMI, MI: Acute Infarction (also known as a
heart attack): acute myocardial infarction (MI) is defined as death or necrosis
of myocardial cells. It is an end-stage diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes
of which there are two types, non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) and ST-segment
elevation MI (STEMI). The severity of an MI is dependent upon three factors: the
level of the occlusion in the coronary artery, the length of time of the obstruction,
and the presence or absence of collateral circulation. The most important treatment
in myocardial infarction is restoring the blood flow to the heart either through
an angioplasty or thrombolysis. See: Cleveland
Clinic Foundation
Adult Congenital Heart Failure: a clinical
syndrome or a collection of symptoms that indicate the heart is unable to pump
enough blood to meet the body's energy demands. Adults with congenital heart disease
are an important emerging patient group. Despite improved survival to adulthood,
many patients will continue to have problems with residual shunts, valvular heart
disease, ventricular dysfunction, heart failure and arrhythmias. See: National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute See also: Ohio
State University Medical Center
AHA/ACC Class D Heart Failure: an approach to
the classification of chronic HF, initially published in 2001, that was developed
to emphasize both the evolution and the progression of chronic HF and to implement
early therapeutic interventions to ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality.
Four stages of HF were identified. Class D Stage IV patients are those with advanced
structural heart disease and marked symptoms of HF at rest despite maximal medical
therapy who require specialized interventions. Such patients are unable to carry
out any physical activity without discomfort and show symptoms of cardiac insufficiency
at rest. The patient experiences extreme discomfort as activity increases.
Aorta: the large artery through which the left
ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
Aortic Valve: a valve with 3 cusps between the left ventricle
and the aorta.
Anticoagulants: a group of drugs that decrease
the ability of the blood to clot, or coagulate. They are sometimes called blood
thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They are used to treat
certain blood vessel, heart and lung conditions. They are also given to certain
people at high risk for forming blood clots, such as those with artificial heart
valves or atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulants do not dissolve clots but may prevent
existing clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. These medications
are administered either orally (warfarin) or intravenously (heparin). See: American
Heart Association
Anticoagulation Protocol: a multi-drug therapy
monitored by multi-system laboratory values, that is used in the management of
patients implanted with mechanical circulatory devices such as the CardioWest
total artificial heart to prevent thromboembolic and bleeding complications after
surgery. The anti-coagulation protocol includes, but is not limited to such
drugs as heparin, warfarin, aspirin, dipyridamole, and pentoxifyllane. See: J.
G. Copeland et al, “Total Artificial Hearts: Bridge to Transplantation,”
Cardiol Clin 21(2003), pp.101-113. See: El-Banayosy, Aly and Latif Arusoglu et
al, “CardioWest Total Artificial Heart: Bad Oeynhausen Experience,”Ann
Thorac Surg 2005; vol.80, p.550 for information regarding the precise protocol
followed by surgeons at Bad Oeynhausen.
Antiplatelet agents: a group of drugs used to
keep blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together.
They help prevent clotting in patients who have had a heart attack, unstable angina,
ischemic strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and other forms of cardiovascular
disease. They are usually prescribed preventively, when plaque buildup is evident
in the arteries but there is not yet a large obstruction. Aspirin, dipyridamole
and clopidogrel are examples. See: American
Heart Association
Antiarrhythmic Agents: a group of pharmaceuticals
such as Amiodarone, Procainamide, Digoxin, and Adenosine, that are used to suppress
fast rhythms of the heart (cardiac arrhythmias). The Vaughan Williams classification
is one of the most widely used classification schemes for antiarrhythmic agents.
This scheme classifies a drug based on the primary mechanism of its antiarrhythmic
effect. See: Answers.com
Aortic Valves: valve between left ventricle
of heart and aorta.
Aortic Regurgitation (“leaky” aortic valve):
the diastolic flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle. Regurgitation
is caused by incompetence of the aortic valve or any disturbance of the valvular
apparatus (eg, leaflets, annulus of the aorta) resulting in diastolic flow of
blood into the left ventricular chamber. See: E
Medicine from Web MD
Arrhythmias: problems that affect the electrical
system of the heart, producing abnormal heart rhythms. They can cause the heart
to pump less effectively. See: American
Heart Association
Arterial Blood Pressure: Pressure determined
directly by two major physical factors, the arterial blood volume and the arterial
compliance (elasticity). The pressure of the circulating blood on the arteries.
See: CVPhysiology.com
Aspirin: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA); a widely
used analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent. Low-dose long-term aspirin
irreversibly blocks the formation of thromboxane A2 in platelets, producing an
inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation, and this blood-thinning property makes
it useful for reducing the incidence of heart attacks. Aspirin produced for this
purpose often comes in 75 or 81 mg dispersible tablets and is sometimes called
“Junior or baby aspirin”. Higher doses of aspirin are also given immediately
after an acute heart attack. See: Wikipedia
Atria (atrium-plural): each of the two top left
and right chambers of the heart that pump blood into the ventricles See: Wikipedia
Bilirubin: the main bile pigment that is formed
from the breakdown of heme in red blood cells. The broken down heme travels to
the liver, where it is secreted into the bile by the liver. Normally, a small
amount of bilirubin circulates in the blood. Serum bilirubin is considered a true
test of liver function, as it reflects the liver's ability to take up, process,
and secrete bilirubin into the bile. See: Bilirubin
Bi-ventricular Failure: a common, progressive,
complex clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. Bi-ventricular heart
failure is, as the name implies, a failure of both the left and right ventricles.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): a measure primarily
of the urea (i.e., nitrogenous substances) level in blood. Urea is cleared by
the kidney largely by filtration. Diseases that compromise the function of the
kidney frequently lead to an increased BUN.See: MedicineNet.com
Body Mass Index (BMI): a number calculated from a person’s
weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most
people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
See: Center
for Disease Control and Prevention
“Bridging”: the temporary use of
mechanical circulatory support before transplantation, not to be confused with
permanent “destination therapy”. See: www.nejm.org
Body Surface Area (BSA): the body surface area
(BSA) is the measured or calculated surface of a human body. For many clinical
purposes BSA is a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight because
it is less affected by abnormal adipose mass. Estimation of BSA is simpler than
many measures of volume. See: Wikipedia
BVAD: Bi-ventricular Assist Device: a ventricular
assist device with the combined functions of both left and right ventricular assist
devices. Implantation of biventricular assist devices (BVAD) is an accepted therapy
for acute cardiac failure in different settings: post cardiotomy ventricular failure,
acute myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy or failed transplant. Intended endpoints
are bridge to recovery of the native heart or heart transplantation. See: Merck
Source Powered by Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Cardiac Arrest: the abrupt cessation of normal
circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during
systole. See: Wikipedia
Cardiac Graft Rejection: rejection of a coronary
artery bypass graft (or CABG) See:
the BUPA
Cardiac Index: the amount of blood pumped by
the heart, per minute, per meter square of body surface area. Also known as a
cardiodynamic measure based on the cardiac output Cardiac output can be
indexed to a patient's body size by dividing by the body surface area to yield
the cardiac index. See: Medicine
Net.com
Cardiac Inotropes: the term is used in reference
to various drugs that affect the strength of contraction of heart muscle (myocardial
contractility). Both positive and negative inotropes are used in the management
of various cardiovascular conditions. The choice of agent largely depends on specific
pharmacological effects of individual agents with respect to the condition. Examples
of positive inotropic agents include: calcium sensitizers such as Levosimendan,
cardiac glycosides such as Digoxin , catecholamines such as Dopamine and Dobutamine.
Negative inotropic agents include beta blockers, Diltazem and Verapamil. See:
Answers.com
Cardiac Output (CO): the amount of blood the
left ventricle ejects into the systemic circulation in one minute, measured in
liters per minute (l/min). CO = SV x HR where SV= stroke volume and HR=
heart rate.
Cardiogenic Shock: characterized by a decreased
pumping ability of the heart that causes a shocklike state (ie,global hypoperfusion).
It most commonly occurs in association with, and as a direct result of, acute
myocardial infarction (AMI). See: E-medicine
from WebMD
Cardiomyopathies: a serious disease affecting
the heart. It involves an inflammation and reduced function in heart muscle. There
are multiple causes including viral infections (myocarditis). In cardiomyopathy,
the heart muscle becomes inflamed and weakened, causing symptoms of heart failure,
which can mimic a heart attack. See: American
Heart Association
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): is an emergency
first aid protocol for an unconscious person on whom neither breathing nor pulse
can be detected. See: Wikipedia
Cardio-pulmonary Bypass: bypass of the heart
and lungs as, for example, in open heart surgery. Blood returning to the heart
is diverted through a heart-lung machine (a pump-oxygenator) before returning
it to the arterial circulation. The machine does the work both of the heart (pump
blood) and the lungs (supply oxygen to red blood cells).See: MedicineNet.com
Cerebrovascular Event:
an acute temporary or permanent neurologic injury whereby the blood supply
to a part of the brain is interrupted. Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
can also be said to be a syndrome of sudden, permanent loss of neuronal function
due to disturbance in cerebral perfusion. This disturbance in perfusion is commonly
on the arterial side of the circulation, but can be on the venous side. The part
of the brain with disturbed perfusion can no longer receive adequate oxygen carried
by the blood; brain cells are therefore damaged or die, impairing function from
that part of the brain. See: Wikipedia
Class IV Heart Failure: end stage heart failure
in which an individual is unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort.
Symptoms of cardiac insufficiency at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken,
discomfort is increased. In order to determine the best course of therapy, physicians
often assess the stage of heart failure according to the New York Heart Association
(NYHA) functional classification system. This system relates symptoms to everyday
activities and the patient's quality of life. See: The
stages of HF
Coagulation: 1(a): the process of becoming viscous,
jellylike, or solid ; especially : the change from a liquid to a thickened curdlike
state not by evaporation but by chemical reaction <the spontaneous coagulation
of freshly drawn blood> <the coagulation of egg albumen by heat> (b):
the process by which such change of state takes place consisting of the alteration
of a soluble substance (as a protein) into an insoluble form or of the flocculation
or separation of colloidal or suspended matter.
2: a substance or body formed by coagulation. There are three
systems that are involved in the coagulation process: 1) platelets 2) pro-coagulant
system 3) fibrinolytic system. In artificial heart or ventricular assist device
implantation it is necessary to achieve a new equilibrium among these systems.
See: Wikipedia
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): a condition
in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to meet the body's needs.
Because of impaired pumping action, the blood becomes congested and can lead to
fluid being backed up in the veins and accumulating in the lungs and extremities.
A poor blood supply resulting from CHF may cause the body's organ systems to fail.
See: MedicineNet.com
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): conditions such
as atherosclerosis which cause narrowing of the coronary arteries resulting in
decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. See: National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): Surgery
that reroutes (bypasses) blood around clogged coronary arteries and improves the
supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Sometimes called open-heart surgery.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Diseases of the
heart caused by narrowing of the coronary blood vessels (atherosclerosis) that
supply blood to the heart which can produce angina (chest pains) or a heart attack.
See: American
Heart Association
Creatinine: a breakdown product of creatine
phosphate generated from muscle metabolism. Creatinine is usually filtered out
by the kidneys and leaves the body. If a patient's kidneys are not working well,
creatinine will build up in the blood and can serve as a warning sign for lack
of kidney function and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Normal creatinine levels
are less then 1.2 mg/dL. Kidney problems can be a complication of heart failure.
In heart failure the kidneys are less able to dispose of sodium and water, causing
fluid retention in the tissues. See: Medline
Plus
CVA: see Cerebrovascular
Event
Destination Therapy: the use of LVADS, BVADS
or other devices as permanent treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure.
See: Mayo
Clinic
Diastole: the period of ventricular relaxation
and blood filling. See Human Physiology, Vander et al. McGraw Hill, 6th ed. 1994.
Diastolic Pressure: the minimum arterial pressure
during relaxation and dilatation of the ventricles of the heart when the ventricles
fill with blood. It is the minimum pressure that occurs just before ventricular
ejection begins. In a blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is typically
the second number recorded. See: MedicineNet.com
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: a large subset of congestive
heart disease with systolic and frequently diastolic dysfunction in CHF cases.
These cases are differentiated logistically, but not necessarily physiologically,
from those due to ischemic and hypertensive heart disease. Cardiomyopathy is a
broad term that includes subacute or chronic disorders of the myocardium. It is
also used to refer to a group of systemic diseases and processes that are toxic
to or alter the myocardium. Cardiomyopathies are divided into 3 types (ie, dilated,
hypertrophic, restrictive). Of these, dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common.
See: Emedicine
from WebMD
Diuresis: the increased formation of urine by
the kidney. Diuresis may be due to a huge number of causes including metabolic
conditions such as diabetes mellitus; substances such as coffee, tea, and alcoholic
beverages in food and drink; and specific diuretic drugs (i.e., furosemide or
Lasix®). See: MedicineNet.com
Dyspnea: difficulty in breathing, often associated
with lung or heart disease and resulting in shortness of breath; occurs normally
during intense physical exertion or at high altitude. Also called air hunger.
See: AllRefer.com
Echocardiography: is one of the most important
non-invasive techniques used in the diagnosis of heart disease. This technique
allows for the visualization of abnormal valve function or contraction of the
cardiac walls and can also be used to measure ejection fraction. Echocardiograms
are obtained by reflecting high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) off various
structures of the heart, then translating the reflected waves into one and two-dimensional
images. See: HeartInfo.org
Ejection Fraction (EF): the percentage of blood that is pumped
out with each heartbeat. This measures the heart’s capacity and functioning
ability. Ejection fraction is usually measured in the left ventricle because it
is the main pumping chamber of the heart. A normal ejection fraction in a person
at rest is typically between 55 and 70 percent. If the heart muscle has been damaged
by heart attack, heart muscle disease or heart valve problems, the ejection fraction
may be below normal. It is defined by the ratio of stroke volume (SV) to end-diastolic
volume (EDV). EF = SV/EDV. See: WebMD
Embolization: the therapeutic introduction of
various substances into the circulation to occlude vessels, either to arrest or
prevent hemorrhaging, to devitalize a structure, tumor, or organ by occluding
its blood supply, or to reduce blood flow to an arteriovenous malformation.
Endocardium: inner layer of the heart muscle.
Epicardium: outer layer of the heart muscle.
Endoventricular Thrombus Formation: thrombus
formation within the ventricle.
Exsanguination: the process of draining or losing
blood. See: Answers.com
Extracorporeal BVADS: bi-ventricular assistance
devices outside of the body, such as Thoratec.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO): is
a special procedure that uses an artificial heart-lung machine to take over the
work of the lungs (and sometimes also the heart). ECMO is used most often in newborns
and young children, but it also can be used as a last resort for adults whose
heart or lungs are failing. ECMO is used for a short period of time (1-2 weeks)
in patients with acute ventricular failure. See: Health
A to Z
Extubated: to remove a tube from a hollow organ
or passageway, often from the airway. The opposite of extubate is intubate. See:
MedicineNet.com
Electrolyte Levels: refers to sodium, potassium,
chloride and other chemical compounds dissolved in the blood. For the body
to function properly, proper blood levels of these chemicals must be maintained.
The level of any electrolyte in the blood can become too high or too low. The
main electrolytes in the blood are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride,
phosphate, and carbonate. See: The
Merck Manual of Health and Aging
Heart Rate (HR): the number of beats per minute.
(avg: 72 beats/min)
Hematocrit: percentage of total blood volume
occupied by blood cells. The normal value is 36-49 %.
Hemiplegia: a condition where a vertical half
of a patient's body is weak or paralyzed, i.e. one arm and its corresponding leg
do not function properly. It can be congenital (occurring before, during, or soon
after birth) or acquired (as from illness or stroke). It is usually the result
of a stroke, although disease processes affecting the spinal cord and other diseases
affecting the hemispheres are equally capable of producing this clinical state.
See: Wikipedia
Hemorrhage: bleeding; an escape of the blood
through ruptured or unruptured vessel walls.
Hemodynamic Insufficiency: inadequate blood
flow that results in an inadequate supply of oxygen to all tissues. See: Hemodynamics
Hemoglobin: protein in red blood cells that
transports oxygen. The mean range is 14.5-15.5 g/dL.
Hemolysis: defined as plasma-free hemoglobin
of greater than 50mg for more than 12 hours. Associated with systemic hypertension,
this condition is usually resolved by reducing the driving pressure in combination
with anti-hypertensive agents.
Hemostasis: the prevention of blood loss; a
complex process that changes blood from a fluid to a solid state. Intact blood
vessels are central to moderating blood's tendency to clot. The endothelial cells
of intact vessels prevent thrombus formation by secreting tissue plasminogen activator
(t-PA) and by inactivating thrombin and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Injury to
vessels overwhelms these protective mechanisms and hemostasis ensues. Hemostasis
proceeds in two phases: primary and secondary hemostasis. See: Hemostasis
Heparin: a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan
widely used as an injectable anticoagulant. Heparin acts via binding to as an
anti-thrombin thereby preventing consequent thrombus formation; it also enhances
activity of lipoprotein lipases. It is also used to form an inner anticoagulant
surface on various experimental and medical devices such as test tubes and renal
dialysis machines. Pharmaceutical grade heparin is commonly derived from the tissue
of slaughter house animals, e.g. porcine intestine or bovine lung. See: Wikipedia
Hepatic Function/ Failure: liver function. Fulminant
hepatic failure (FHF) is usually defined as the severe impairment of hepatic functions
in the absence of preexisting liver disease. See: EMedicine
from Web MD
HTx: heart transplantation
Hypercoagulability: refers to the defect of
increased clotting and viscosity of blood. Hypercoagulability testing is performed
through blood tests. The propensity to develop thrombosis (blood clots) due to
an abnormality in the system of coagulation. See: Envita
Natural Medical Centers of America
Hypervolemia: an abnormal increase in blood
volume or, strictly speaking, an abnormal increase in the volume of blood plasma.
See Medterms
Hypovolemia: an abnormal decrease in blood volume
or, strictly speaking, an abnormal decrease in the volume of blood plasma. Symptoms
of hypovolemia may include cold hands and feet, light headedness, infrequent urination,
increased heart rate, and weakness. It can lead to hypovolemic shock which can
result in multiple organ failure, kidney damage, brain damage, and death. See:
About
Hypovolemia
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (IDCM): dilation
of the right, left or both ventricles with impaired contractility of unknown cause.
It is a common form of dilated cardiomyopathy that produces symptoms of heart
failure in patients of any age or sex. Overt congestive heart failure may or may
not be present.
Inotropic Agents: drugs used to increase the
ability of the heart to contract. Common inotropic drugs are dopamine, dobutamine,
epinephrine, milrinone, and norepinephrine. See www.NEJM.org
Intraaortic Balloon Pump (IABP): the intraaortic
balloon pump (IABP) is a device used in some critically ill people to help the
heart pump. It increases blood flow to coronary arteries and, therefore,
the heart muscle, and decreases the workload of the heart through a process called
counterpulsation. It can produce up to 20 percent of the workload of the heart.
The IABP is placed in the aorta below the level of the aortic arch, which is the
main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. See:
Fairview.org
Ischemia: reduced blood flow to an organ, usually
caused by a constricted or blocked blood vessel.
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: a condition in
which an individual has weakened heart pumps, resulting from either previous heart
attacks or due to current blockages of the coronary arteries. Blockages in the
coronary arteries lead to ischemia, or decreased blood flow to the heart muscle,
resulting in decreased oxygen supply to the cells. See: All
Refer Health.com
Left Ventricle: one of the two bottom chambers
in the human heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium via the
mitral valve, and pumps it into the aorta via the aortic valve. It forms a small
part of the sternocostal surface and a considerable part of the diaphragmatic
surface of the heart; it also forms the apex of the heart. See: Wikipedia
Left-Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD): a mechanical
pump that is surgically implanted and is used to aid the natural pumping action
of the heart's left ventricle. This device is sometimes called a “bridge
to transplant” because it buys time until a heart transplant can be performed.
See: WebMD
Massive Myocardial Infarction: infarction of
the myocardium that results typically from coronary occlusion, that may be marked
by sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and loss of consciousness,
and that sometimes results in death. See: Cedars
Sinai
Mechanical Circulatory Support: a uni-
or bi- ventricular device used to treat patients with advanced heart failure.
A mechanical pump is surgically implanted to provide pulsatile or non-pulsatile
flow of blood to supplement or replace the blood flow generated by the native
heart. Types of circulatory support pumps include pneumatic and electromagnetic
pumps. Rotary pumps are also available. See: Encyclopedia
of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Mediastinal Infections: acute bacterial infection
of the mediastinum. Such infections can evoke a devastating disease which, in
its fulminating form, is often unresponsive to the best therapeutic efforts. However,
if mediastinitis is diagnosed before it reaches the morbid pathological state,
appropriate antibiotic therapy and well-planned surgical intervention may favorably
alter the prognosis. See: Baylor
University Medical Proceedings
Mitral Valve: bicuspid valve, left atrioventricular
valve: a valve in the heart located in the opening between the left atrium and
the left ventricle, prevents the blood in the ventricle from returning to the
atrium, and consists of two triangular flaps attached at their bases to the fibrous
ring which surrounds the opening and connected at their margins with the ventricular
walls by the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles.
Myocardium: the middle muscular layer
of the heart wall. The myocardium is responsible for the heart’s pumping
action and contracts to pump blood out of the heart, then relaxes as the heart
refills with returning blood. The myocardium is the layer that has the largest
oxygen need and is most affected by decreased blood flow (ischemia). See: Wikipedia
New York Heart Association (NYHA): a functional
classification system that physicians use to assess the stage of heart failure
and best course of therapy. This system relates symptoms to everyday activities
and the patient's quality of life. See:
Heart Failure Society of America
NYHA Class IV Heart Failure: end stage heart
failure in which an individual is unable to carry out any physical activity without
discomfort. Symptoms of cardiac insufficiency at rest. If any physical activity
is undertaken, discomfort is increased. See: American
Heart Association
Organ Perfusion: an act or instance of perfusing;
specifically, the pumping of a fluid through an organ or tissue believes that
intermittent injection ... is better and safer than continuous perfusion -- Year
Book of Urology.
Orthotopic Implantation: of or relating to the
grafting of tissue or organ into its natural position within the body (orthotopic
transplant.)
Orthotopic Pneumatic Device: any of various
tools and instruments that are grafted to tissue in the correct position and generate
and utilize compressed air. See: Ask.com:
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
Perfusion: blood flow.
Pericardium: the thin outer covering sac (membrane)
that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels. See: The
American Heart Association
Pericardial Cavity: the potential space formed
between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart. Normally, it contains
a small amount of serous fluid that acts to reduce surface tension and lubricate.
Therefore, the cavity facilitates the free movement of the heart. The cavity surrounds
the heart and is continuous with it at all but the points of entry and exit of
great vessels. See: GP
Notebook
Perfusion Pressure: the difference between the
arterial and venous pressures through an organ or capillary bed.
Plasma: the liquid portion of the blood. See:
Franklin
Institute Online
Plasmin: proteolytic enzyme that decomposes
fibrin and other clotting factors and dissolves blood clots.
Platelets: also called thrombocytes, are small
disk-shaped blood cells produced in the bone marrow and involved in the process
of blood clotting. See: Wikipedia
Platelet Count: a diagnostic test that determines
the number of platelets in the patient's blood. There are normally between 150,000-450,000
platelets in each microliter of blood. Low platelet counts or abnormally shaped
platelets may be associated with bleeding disorders. High platelet counts sometimes
indicate disorders of the bone marrow. See: Health
A to Z
Pneumothorax: a condition in which air gets
between the lungs and the chest wall. Pneumothorax is one cause of a collapsed
lung — a serious, sometimes life-threatening, condition. See: MayoClinic.com
Pulmonary Artery: the artery which carries
blood away from the heart and extends from the right ventricle and branches into
left and right pulmonary arteries. The left and right pulmonary arteries extend
to the left lung and right lung, and deliver deoxygenated blood to the corresponding
lung. See: About
Biology
Pulmonary Edema: a condition which involves
fluid accumulation and swelling in the lungs. Pulmonary edema is usually caused
by heart failure that results in increased pressure in the pulmonary (lung) veins.
However, problems within the lungs themselves can also result in fluid accumulation.
Pulmonary edema can be a complication of a
heart attack, leaking or narrowed heart valves (mitral or aortic valves),
or any disease of the heart that either results in weakening and/or stiffening
of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
Pulmonary edema can also be caused by direct lung injury from toxins including
heat and poisonous gas, severe infection, or an excess of body fluid as seen in
kidney failure. See: Mayo
Clinic
Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT): high blood
pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs.
Pulmonary Valve: heart valve between right ventricle
and pulmonary artery.
Pulse Pressure: the difference between systolic
and diastolic pressures.
Renal Function/ Failure: an indication of the
state of the kidney and its role in physiology. Renal failure is characterized
by the loss of the ability of the kidneys to excrete wastes, concentrate urine,
and conserve electrolytes. See: Wikipedia
Right Heart Failure: heart failure caused by
damage to the heart’s right-sided chambers. This usually occurs as a result
of left-sided heart failure. When the left ventricle fails, increased fluid pressure
is, in effect, transferred back through the lungs, ultimately damaging the heart’s
right side. When the right side loses pumping power, blood backs up in the body’s
veins. This usually causes swelling in the legs and ankles. See: WrongDiagnosis.com
Right Ventricle: one of the two bottom
chambers in the human heart. The right ventricle receives de-oxygenated blood
as the right atrium contracts. The pulmonary valve leading into the pulmonary
artery is closed, allowing the ventricle to fill with blood. Once the ventricles
are full, they contract. As the right ventricle contracts, the tricuspid valve
closes and the pulmonary valve opens. The closure of the tricuspid valve prevents
blood from backing into the right atrium and the opening of the pulmonary valve
allows the blood to flow into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs. See: Wikipedia
Seizure (Convulsions): are temporary abnormal
electrophysiologic phenomena of the brain resulting in abnormal synchronization
of electrical neuronal activity. They can manifest as an alteration in mental
state, tonic or clonic movements and various other symptoms. They are due to temporary
abnormal electrical activity of a group of brain cells. See: Wikipedia
Semilunar valves: general name for valves between
the right ventricle and pulmonary artery and left ventricle and aorta.
Sepsis: a toxic condition resulting from the
spread of bacteria or their products from a focus of infection. The immunological
response that causes sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response causing widespread
activation of inflammation and coagulation pathways. This may progress to dysfunction
of the circulatory system and, even under optimal treatment, may result in the
multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and eventually death. See: Wikipedia
Stenosis: a narrowing or constriction of the
diameter of a bodily passage or orifice. Aortic stenosis is the narrowing
or obstruction of the heart's aortic valve, which prevents it from opening properly
and blocks the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. See: MedLine
Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Aortic Stenosis
Sternotomy: a type of incision in the center
of the chest, that separates the sternum (chestbone) to allow access to the heart.
See: University
of Southern California
Stroke: the sudden death of a portion of the
brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain
is damage resulting in abnormal function of brain. It is caused by blockage or
rupture of an artery to the brain. See: ThinkQuest
Stroke Volume (SV): the blood volume ejected
by each ventricle with each beat. SV= CO/HR
Surgical Revascularization: the process of restoring
the functionality of an affected organ. It involves a thorough analysis and diagnosis
and treatment of the existing diseased vasculature of the affected organ, and
can be aided by the use of different imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance
imaging, pet scan, CT scan, and X ray fluoroscopy. See: Wikipedia
Syncope: a temporary loss of consciousness usually
related to temporary insufficient blood flow to the brain — a fainting spell.
It may be caused by many different factors including emotional stress, pooling
of blood in the legs due to sudden changes in body position, or heavy sweating.
Syncope may occur during violent coughing spells (especially in men) because of
rapid changes in blood pressure. It also may result from a number of heart and
lung disorders. See: The
American Heart Association
Systole: the period of ventricular contraction
and blood ejection. See Human Physiology, Vander et al. McGraw Hill, 6th
ed. 1994.
Systolic pressure: the maximum pressure reached
during peak ventricular ejection. It is heard as the pressure of blood against
the artery walls when the heart has just finished contracting or pumping out blood.
It is the upper number of a blood pressure reading. See: WebMD
Temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t): a
mechanical device that replaces the normal heart orthotopically and assumes its
functions. The CardioWest™ TAH‑t is the only FDA approved total
artificial heart that acts as a bridge to transplantation.
Thoracic Cavity: the space within the walls
of the chest, bounded below by the diaphragm and above by the neck, and containing
the heart and the lungs. See: Answers.com
Thromboembolism: occurs when red blood cells,
fibrin, platelets and leukocytes form a mass or thrombus within an intact cardiovascular
system. An embolism occurs when a segment of a thrombus within the cardiovascular
system detaches from the vessel, travels within the body and lodges within another,
smaller vein or artery. See:
Begelman, Susan. “Venous Thromboembolism”, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.org
Thrombus: a blood clot in a blood vessel or
within the heart. See: MedicineNet.com
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA): a "mini-stroke"
caused by temporary disturbance of blood supply to an area of the brain, resulting
in a sudden, brief decrease in brain function. (It lasts less than 24 hours, usually
less than one hour). See: Medicine
Plus
Tricuspid Valve (right atrioventricular valve):
a valve that is situated at the opening of the right atrium of the heart into
the right ventricle and consists of three triangular membranous flaps.
Valvular Regurgitation: the presence of backwards,
or retrograde, flow across a given closed cardiac valve. See: Echo
in Context Teleconferences: Doppler Changes in Valvular Regurgitation
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD): mechanical
device that is used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing
heart. The devices are generally designed to replace or assist cardiac function
temporarily, but recently devices are becoming available that can be implanted
permanently for so called "destination therapy". Most patients using
the devices, however, are awaiting heart transplant. See: Wikipedia
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): a defect
between the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. See: The
American Heart Association
Ventricular Clot: a clot within a ventricle.
Ventricular Fibrillation: an often fatal form
of arrhythmia characterized by rapid, irregular fibrillar twitching of the ventricles
of the heart in place of normal contractions, resulting in a loss of pulse and
death. See: Answers.com
Ventricular Tachycardia: a rapid heart beat
initiated within the ventricles, characterized by 3 or more consecutive premature
ventricular beats. It is a potentially lethal disruption of normal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
that may cause the heart to become unable to pump adequate blood through the body.
The heart rate may be 160 to 240 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute). It can
occur in the absence of apparent heart disease. It can also develop as an early
or a late complication of a heart attack, or during the course of cardiomyopathy,
valvular heart disease, myocarditis, and following heart surgery. See: MedlinePlus
Medical Encyclopedia
Ventricular Thrombus: a fibrinous clot formed
in the ventricle of the heart. See: Answers.com
Warfarin (Coumadin®): an anticoagulant with
the same actions as dicumarol; also used as a rodenticide; also available as the
potassium salt, with the same actions and uses. An anticoagulant medicine
that decreases the ability of blood to form clots. Blood clots can occur
in the veins of the lower extremities, usually after periods of immobility. These
clots can break off and become lodged in the blood vessels of the lung (pulmonary
embolism), causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and even life-threatening
shock. Blood clots can also occur in the atria of the heart during atrial fibrillation,
and around artificial heart valves. One of these clots can also break off and
obstruct a blood vessel in the brain, causing an embolic stroke with paralysis.
Coumadin is important in preventing the formation of blood clots. It is also important
to prevent extension of clots already formed, and to minimize the risk of blood
clot embolization to other vital organs such as the lungs and brain. See: MedicineNet.com
White Blood Cell Count: a test which determines
the number of white blood cells and the percentage of each type of white blood
cell in a person's blood. These tests are included in general health examinations
and help investigate a variety of illnesses, including infection, allergy, and
leukemia. See: Health
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