Term | Definition |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | A Registered Nurse licensed by the state of practice who has completed a Nurse Anesthesia program, credentialed as a CRNA, who provides the same anesthesia services as an Anesthesiologist |
Epidural | Located over or upon the Dural |
General Anesthesia | A state of unconsciousness, produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body |
Local Anesthesia | Anesthesia confined to one part of the body |
Moderate Sedation | A decreased level of consciousness during a procedure without being put completely to sleep. The patient is able to respond to verbal instructions and stimulation |
Regional Anesthesia | The production of insensibility of a part by interrupting the sensory nerve conductivity from that region of the body |
Atrium | Upper chamber of the heart |
Cardiomyopathy | A condition or general term describing a problem with the heart muscle |
Endocardium | The innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers of the heart |
Myocardium | The muscular tissue of the heart |
Pericardium | Sac surrounding the heart |
Septum | The dividing wall or muscle between the right and left sides of the heart |
Tricuspid Valve | 3 Separate leaflets or cusps are found in this critical valve |
Ventricles | The 2 lower chambers of the heart |
Achalasia | The inability of a muscle to relax |
Aphakia | Absence of the crystalline lens of the eye |
Base Units | Values assigned to each anesthesia CPT Code to reflect the difficulty of the anesthesia service, including preoperative and postoperative care and evaluation |
Benign Lesions | A non-cancerous injury, wound, or infected patch of skin |
Biopsy | Tissue or organ removal for study or examination |
Catheter | A tubular, flexible instrument for withdrawal of fluids from, or introduction of fluids into, a body cavity |
Definitive Diagnosis | Diagnosis based upon physician findings; the determination of the illness, or disease is made by the physician |
Echocardiogaphy (ECHO) | An ultrasound of the heart used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases and cardiac valve disorders |
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) | The recording of the electrical activity of the heart |
Endoscopy | Inspection of organs or cavities by use of a tube through a natural body opening or through a small incision |
Fissure | A groove, split, or natural division |
Fistula | An abnormal tube-like passage from a normal cavity to another cavity or surface |
Malignant Lesion | Having the properties of a nearby invasive and destructive tumor growth and metastasis changes in the tissue |
Sphincter | A muscle that constricts an orifice |
Physical Status Modifiers | A 2-digit amendment to the anesthesia CPT Codes that describes the physical status of the patient who is receiving anesthesia |
Closed Fracture | One in which the fracture site does not communicate with the outside environment |
Dislocation | A complete separation of the bone from its normal position in a joint |
Open Fracture | One in which the fracture site communicates with the outside environment |