Term | Definition |
bradycardia and heart block (atrioventricular block) | Failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle. |
flutter | Rapid but regular contractions, usually of the atria. |
fibrilation | Rapid, random, innefficient, and irregular contractions of the atia and ventricles (350 or more beats per minute). |
congenital heart disease | Abnormalities in the heart at birth. |
coarctation of the aorta | Narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta. |
patent ductus arteriosus | A duct (ductus arteriosus) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which normally closes soon after birth, remains open. |
septal defects | Small holes in the septa between the atria (atrial septal defects) or the ventricles (ventricular septal defects). |
tetralogy of Fallot | A congenital malformation of the heart involving four (tetra-) distinct defects. |
congestive heart failure (CHF) | The heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood (more blood enters the heart from veins than leaves through the arteries). |
coronary artery disease (CAD) | Disease of the arteries surrounding the heart. |
endocarditis | Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart caused by bacteria (bacterial endocarditis). |
hypertensive heart disease | High blood pressure affecting the heart. |
mitral valve prolapse | Improper closure of the mitral valve. |
murmur | An extra heart sound, heard between normal beats. |
pericarditis | Inflammation of the membrane (pericardium) surrounding the heart. |
rheumatic heart disease | Heart disease caused by rheumatic fever. |
aneurysm | Local widening of an arteriole wall. |
deep vein thrombosis | A blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in a lower limb. |
hypertension | High blood pressure. |
peripheral vascular disease | Blockage of blood vessels outside the heart. |
Raynaud disease | Recurrent episodes of pallor and cyanosis primarily in fingers and toes. |
varicose veins | Abnormally swollen and twisted veins, usually occuring in the legs. |
BNP test | Measurement of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide)in blood. |
lipid tests | Measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in a blood sample. |
lipoprotein electrophoresis | Lipoprpteins (combinations of fat and protein) are physically seperated in a blood sample. |
serum enzyme tests | Chemicals measured in the blood as evidence of a heart attack. |
angiography | X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material |
computerized tomography angiography | Three dimensional x-ray images of the heart and coronary arteries using computed tomography. |
digital subtraction angiography | Video equipment and a computer pfroduce x-ray images of blood vessels. |
electron beam computed tomography | Electron beams and CT identify calcium and deposits in and around coronary arteries to diagnose early CAD. |
doppler ultrasound studies | Sound waves measure movement of blood flow. |
echocaardiography | Echoes generated by high-frequency sound waves produce images of the heart. |
positron emission tomography | Images show blood flow and myocardial function following uptake of radioactive substances. |
technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan | Technetium Tc99m sestamibi injected intravenously is taken up in cardiac tissue, where it is detected by scanning. |
thallium 201 scan | Concentration of a radioactive substance is measured in the myocardium. |
cardiac MRI | Images of the heart are produced with magnetic waves. |
cardiac catheterization | A thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or artery. |
electrocardiography (ECG) | Recording of the electricity flowing through the heart. |
Holter monitoring | An ECG device is worn during a 24-hour period to detect. Cardiac arrhythmias. |
stress test | Exercise tolerance test (ETT) determines the heart's response to physical exertion. |
cardio diversion (defibrillation) | Very brief discharges of electricity, applied across the chest to stop arrhythmias. |
coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) | Arteries and veins are anastomed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages. |
endartectomy | Surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery. |
extracorporeal circulation | A heart-lung machine diverts blood from the heart and lungs while the heart in repaired. |
heart transplantation | A donor heart is transferred to a recipient. |
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) | A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the artery; stents are put in place. |
thrombolytic therapy | Drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis. |