This glossary hopes to explain some of the medical terms that we have come across, and is by no means meant to be a definitive medical resource. Just click on a letter below, clicking on A to M letters will take you back to the other Glossary page.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Noninvasive procedure - a diagnostic effort or treatment that does not require entering the body or puncturing the skin.
Norwood Procedure - an operation on a baby within the first few hours of birth, where the aim is to improve the flow of oxygenated blood around the body, to provide blood to the lungs via a shunt (passage, especially as the arterial duct could close, and to create a permanent passage between the left and right atrium's.
Obesity - overweight by 30 percent of the ideal body weight.
Occluded artery - an artery that is narrowed by plaque that impedes blood flow.
Open heart surgery - surgery that involves opening the chest and heart while a heart-lung machine performs for the heart and lungs during the operation.
Oxygen desaturation - insufficient amounts of oxygen in the bloodstream. Desaturation can occur when oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the right side of the heart circulation mixes with oxygen-rich (red) blood in the left side of the heart circulation and goes to the body. Normal oxygen saturation in the arteries is 95 to 100 percent.
Oxygen saturation - the extent to which the hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. (Hemoglobin is an element in the bloodstream that binds with oxygen and carries it to the organs and tissues of the body.) A normal oxygen saturation of the blood leaving the heart to the body is 95 to 100 percent. The oxygen saturation of the blood returning to the heart after delivering oxygen to the body is 75 percent.
Pacemaker - an electronic device that is surgically placed in the patient's body and connected to the heart to regulate the heartbeat.
Palpitation - a sensation in the chest caused by an irregular heartbeat.
Patent - open.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) - a blood vessel present in all infants that usually closes shortly after birth. It connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery. When it remains open, it allows extra blood to pass through from the aorta to the lungs.
Patent foramen ovale - an opening in the atrial septum (wall between the right and left atria) that is present in all infants, but which usually closes shortly after birth. When it remains open, it allows extra blood to pass through the opening from the left atrium to the right atrium.
Pericardial effusion - a build up of excess fluid in-between the heart and the membrane that surrounds it, often due to inflammation.
Pericarditis - an inflammation or infection of the sac which surrounds the heart.
Pericardiocentesis - a diagnostic procedure that uses a needle to draw fluid from the pericardium.
Pericardium - the membrane that surrounds the heart.
Plaque - deposits of fat or other substances attached to the artery wall.
Platelets - cells found in the blood that assist in clotting.
Polyunsaturated fat - a type of fat found in vegetable oils and margarines that does not appear to raise blood cholesterol levels.
Post-pericardiotomy syndrome - a build up of excess fluid in-between the heart and the membrane that surrounds it, often due to inflammation after open heart surgery. (“Post” means after, and “pericardiotomy” means opening the membrane around the heart for open heart surgery.)
Pre-eclampsia (also known as toxaemia) - a condition which only occurs during or just after pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is caused by damage to the placenta, which can affect mother and baby in different ways. In mothers it might show up as problems with circulation, such as high blood pressure, protein in the urine, or swelling. In babies, an indication might be slow growth as well as other problems, as there might not be enough food or oxygen from the placenta. The condition can potentially be very dangerous.
Premature atrial contraction (PAC) - an early heartbeat started by the atria.
Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) - an early heartbeat started by the ventricles.
Prophylaxis - prevention.
Prostaglandin E1 - an intravenous medication used to keep a patent ductus arteriosus from closing and preserve blood flow to the lungs.
Pulmonary - pertaining to the lungs and respiratory system.
Pulmonary artery - the blood vessel connecting the right ventricle to the lungs, allowing oxygen-poor (blue) blood to receive oxygen.
Pulmonary edema - a condition in which there is fluid accumulation in the lungs caused by an incorrectly functioning heart.
Pulmonary valve - the heart valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery that controls blood flow to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein - the vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart.
Pulse oximeter - a device that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. Normal oxygen saturation in the arteries is 95 to 100 percent.
Radioisotope - a radioactive material injected into the body so that a nuclear scanner can make pictures.
Regurgitation - backward flow of blood caused by a defective heart valve.
Renal - pertaining to the kidneys.
Rheumatic fever - a disease caused by a strep infection that may damage the heart valves.
Right atrium - the upper right chamber of the heart, which receives oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the body and sends it to the right ventricle.
Right ventricle - the lower right chamber of the heart, which receives oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the right atrium and sends it to the pulmonary artery.
Risk factor - a condition, element, or activity that may adversely affect the heart.
Ross procedure - A surgical procedure performed to repair aortic stenosis. The child's own pulmonary valve and base of the pulmonary artery (autograft) replace the defective aorta, while a homograft (blood vessel from a tissue donor) replaces the pulmonary valve and base of the pulmonary artery.
Rubella - an illness that can cause birth defects, including congenital heart disease, if a woman contracts it for the first time during pregnancy; can be prevented by immunization with the MMR vaccine.
Saturated fat - fat that is found in foods from animal meats and skin, dairy products, and some vegetables. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperatures and can increase LDL levels.
Septal defect - a hole in the wall between the atria or the ventricles (upper or lower heart chambers).
Septum - the muscle wall between the atria or ventricles (upper or lower heart chambers).
Shunt - a connector to allow blood flow between two locations.
Sinus node - the cells that produce the electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract.
Sinus rhythm - a normal heart rhythm in which each heartbeat originates in the sinus node, and proceeds through the rest of the electrical conduction system normally.
Sinus tachycardia - a heart rhythm that originates in the sinus node and proceeds through the rest of the electrical conduction system, but is faster than normal.
Sphygmomanometer - an instrument used to measure blood pressure.
Stent - a device implanted in a vessel used to help keep it open.
Stenosis - narrowing or constriction of a blood vessel or valve in the heart.
Stethoscope - an instrument used to listen to the heart and other sounds in the body.
Sternotomy - a surgical incision made in the breastbone.
Sternum - the breastbone.
Stress - mental or physical tension that results from physical, emotional, or chemical causes.
Stroke - the sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain.
Subclavian - a blood vessel that branches from the aorta and takes oxygen-rich (red) blood to the head and arms.
Subclavian flap - a surgical procedure performed to repair coarctation of the aorta, using part of the left subclavian artery as a patch to enlarge a narrowed aorta.
Superior vena cava - the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the head and arms.
Supraventricular tachycardia - a fast heart rate that originates in the aorta, but does not start in the sinus node.
Syncope - light-headedness or fainting caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Systole - the time during the heartbeat when the ventricles are pumping blood, either to the lungs or to the body.
Systolic blood pressure - the highest blood pressure measured in the arteries.
Tachycardia - rapid heartbeat.
Tachypnea - rapid breathing.
Tamponade - an emergency situation that occurs when blood or fluid fills the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, preventing the heart from beating effectively.
Telemetry unit - a small box with wires attached to EKG patches on the chest; used to send information about the heartbeat via radio transmission to healthcare professionals for evaluation.
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) - a group of congenital heart defects, including a ventricular septal defect, obstruction to blood flow out of the right ventricle to the lungs, and an aorta that is shifted to the right. Enlargement of the right ventricle occurs as the right ventricle copes with obstruction to blood flow.
Toxaemia - See Pre-eclampsia
Thoracotomy - an incision made on the right or left side of the chest between the ribs, in order to access the heart or lungs during surgery.
Trans fat - vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen in order to make it more solid and give it a longer shelf life.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) - a diagnostic test that uses a long tube guided into the mouth, throat, and esophagus to evaluate the structures inside the heart with sound waves.
Transplantation - replacing a damaged organ with one from a donor.
Transposition of the great arteries (Also called transposition of the great vessels.) - a congenital heart defect involving abnormal development of the great arteries (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) during the time the heart is forming prior to birth. The aorta ends up being connected to the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery is connected to the left ventricle, which is the opposite of how they are normally connected.
Tricuspid atresia - a congenital heart defect in which the tricuspid valve and right ventricle do not develop properly, preventing oxygen-poor (blue) blood from reaching the lungs via its normal pathway.
Tricuspid valve - the heart valve that controls blood flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle.
Triglyceride - a fat-like substance found in the blood.
Trisomy 21 (Also called Down syndrome.) - the presence of three #21 chromosomes in each cell of the body, rather than the usual pair, which causes the features otherwise known as Down syndrome. Many children with Down syndrome also have congenital heart disease - usually atrioventricular canal defect.
Truncus arteriosus - a congenital heart defect involving incomplete separation of the great arteries (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) during the time the heart is forming prior to birth.
Ultrasound - a diagnostic tool used to evaluate organs and structures inside the body with high-frequency sound waves.
Valves - the "doors" between the chambers of the heart that allow blood to move forward and prevent it from moving backward. The heart valves are called tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic.
Valvuloplasty - repairing a heart valve.
Vascular - pertaining to blood vessels.
Vasodilator - a medication that dilates or widens the opening in a blood vessel.
Vasopressor - a medication that raises blood pressure.
Vasovagal syndrome - a sudden drop in blood pressure, with or without a decrease in heart rate, that is caused by a dysfunction of the nerves controlling the heart and blood vessels.
Vein - a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.
Ventricle - one of the two lower chambers of the heart.
Ventricular fibrillation - a condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body.
Ventricular septal defect - an abnormal opening in the wall between the right and left ventricles.
Ventricular tachycardia - a condition in which the ventricles beat very quickly.
Vertigo - dizziness.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome - An extra electrical pathway that connects the atria and ventricles and causes rapid heartbeat.
X -ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
10 January, 2005
