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Patient Information
--> Medical and Surgical Information
--> Glossary of Medical Terms
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Ace Inhibitor: Medication used to treat
high blood pressure.
Angina (Angina Pectoris): Pain or discomfort
which occurs when the heart does not receive blood and oxygen supply.
Angina may be located in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, shoulder or
back. No permanent damage is done to the heart.
Angioplasty: a balloon procedure to open an obstruction
or narrowing of a blood vessel. Also known as a Percutaneous Transluminal
Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA).
Anticoagulant: A drug that slows or prevents the blood from
clotting.
Aneurysm: Aneurysm refers to an abnormal
widening of a blood vessel in an area. Aneurysms can sometimes burst,
causing a serious medical emergency.
Aorta: The main artery coming from the heart.
Arteries: Part of the body's system which transports blood
which is rich in oxygen from the heart to the various areas of the
body.
Atrial Fibrillation: When a rapid
and irregular rhythm begins in the upper chambers of the heart (the
Atria), it is called Atrial fibrillation. As a result, the lower
chambers also beat irregularly. There are health risks associated
with this condition that require careful diagnosis and treatment.
Arterial Line: A small plastic tube that is placed in an
artery in your wrist and is used to monitor you (arterial) blood
pressure. Blood samples can also be taken through this tube.
Arrhythmia: An abnormal rhythm
of the heart with respect to rate, regularity, or site of impulse
origin. Types of arrhythmias include tachycardias (fast heart rhythms)
and bradycardias (slow heart rhythms).
Atherosclerosis: A disease
process in which fatty substances (plaque), such as cholesterol,
are deposited on the inner lining of blood vessels
Arteriosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis
is a general term for a condition that is characterized by the thickening,
hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries.
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Beta Blocker: Medication used to treat high
blood pressure, angina, MI and other heart conditions by controlling
the heart rate.
Bradycardia: An abnormally slow
heart rhythm.
Bypass Graft (Vein, Mammary Artery, Aorta-Coronary Bypass Graft):
The surgical placement of a piece of vein, taken from the leg or
a piece or artery, taken from the inside of the chest wall, on to
a diseased coronary artery. The graft is placed beyond any blockages
in an attempt to get more blood into the heart muscle.
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Calcium Channel Blocker: A drug used to
treat high blood pressure and angina. Decreases the workload of
the heart by blocking the influx of calcium ions into the smooth
muscle cells, thereby reducing the oxygen demand on the heart.
Cardiac: Relating to the heart.
Cardiac Angiogram or Catheterization: An x-ray procedure
which involves the injection of dye into the heart chambers and
into the coronary arteries for diagnostic purposes. The doctor is
able to see on a x-ray screen the exact site where the artery is
narrowed or blocked and measure how well your heart is pumping.
Catheter: A hollow, flexible tube used to withdraw or inject
fluid into the body.
Chest Tube: A tube or tubes in the chest which drain fluids
from the area of the operation. The chest tubes remain in place
for approximately two days.
Cholesterol: a substance that circulates in the blood and
plays a role in the formation of blockages. Cholesterol originates
in foods that are rich in animal fats.
Congestive Heart Failure: The condition
which results when the heart is unable to pump adequately. Congestive
heart failure (CHF) can result from coronary heart disease.
Coronary Arteries: Special arteries which supply the heart
muscle itself with blood
Coronary Artery Disease: A condition in which the arteries
supplying the heart muscle become blocked. The cause of this is
unknown, but some risk factors have been identified: hypertension,
family history, smoking, diabetes, obesity, diet and stress.
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Diabetes: A disease affecting one's metabolism
of glucose (sugar) which cause changes in blood vessels. These changes
may aid in the development of coronary artery disease.
Dilation: The gradual opening of the narrowed coronary artery
by cracking and compressing the narrowing or obstructing plaque.
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Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ ECG): A recording of the electrical
activity of the heart. The EKG recording can be used to detect many
abnormalities in the heart.
Endotrachael Tube (ETT): Breathing tube placed during surgery
or respiratory emergencies in the trachea to assist with breathing.
Removed when the patient is able to breath on his/her own.
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Fibrillation: A rapid and irregular heart
rhythm caused by abnormal electrical impulses. Depending on which
area of the heart is experiencing fibrillation, it may be very serious.
Fibrillation, Atrial : When a rapid and irregular rhythm
begins in the upper chambers of the heart (the Atria), it is called
Atrial fibrillation. As a result, the lower chambers also beat irregularly.
There are health risks associated with this condition that require
careful diagnosis and treatment
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Heart Lung Machine (Bypass): The device which
performs the function of the heart and lungs in surgery while the
grafts are being attached to the heart. The surgeon can sew the
grafts to the heart precisely because the heart is still and the
heart-lung machine is doing the work of the heart.
Hypertension: High blood pressure
usually above 135/85
Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
The tolerance for low blood pressure varies greatly, but generally
a systolic blood pressure less than 90 indicates hypotension.
Hypercholesterolemia: Hypercholesterolemia
refers to levels of cholesterol in the blood that are higher than
normal.
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Incentive Spirometer: This machine lets
you know if you are breathing deeply enough. The respiratory therapists
will teach you how to use this machine.
Ischemia: Lack of or insufficient oxygen to the heart muscle.
Ischemia is a reversible condition if normal blood flow is restored.
IV (Intravenous): Small tubes which are placed into the
veins for the purpose of giving fluids and drugs, taking blood samples,
and measuring pressures. These "lines" as they are called,
will remain in place for several days after surgery.
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Left Ventricle: The largest chamber of the
heart which is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
Local (Anesthetic): Numbing medicine which is used to decrease
discomfort when the intravenous lines are put into place.
Lungs: Sponge like organs of the body which allow oxygen
to enter the blood when you breathe.
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Mammary Artery: An artery what runs down
the inside of the chest wall and is sometimes used in coronary artery
bypass graft surgery.
Murmur: A heart Murmur is defined as
the sound caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart, as heard
by a physician through a stethoscope. Most heart murmurs are benign,
but sometimes a murmur can indicate problems such as a malfunctioning
heart valve.
Myocardial Infarction (M.I.): A "heart-attack"
loss of the part of the heart muscle due to a severe decrease
in blood supply. Permanent damage to the heart occurs.
Myocarditis: An inflammatory disease
of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can result from a variety
of causes. While most cases are produced by a viral infection, an
inflammation of the heart muscle may also be instigated by toxins,
drugs, and hypersensitive immune reactions. Myocarditis is a rare
but serious condition that affects both males and females of any
age.
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NG Tube (Nasogastric): A small tube placed
through the nose and into the stomach to draw out secretions and
lessen stomach upset immediately after surgery.
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Pacemaker: Electronic device used to control
the heart rate. Used after open heart surgery to maintain an effective
heart rate for recovery and in emergencies to stimulate the heart
to beat.
Pericarditis: Two thin membranes
enclose the heart in a sack-like structure. If these membranes become
irritated or inflamed, the condition is known as pericarditis. Pericarditis
is fairly common, affecting about 1 in 1,000 people at some point
in their lives. It can be caused by flu, polio, injury, or German
measles. Other causes are rheumatoid arthritis or lupus,Ê and this
condition sometimes follows a heart attack.
Pericardial Tamponade: Pericardial
Tamponade is a kind of pericarditis that is particularly threatening.
The membranes enclosing the heart do not stretch readily, so if
fluid accumulates between the membranes and the heart, pressure
can be applied that prevents the heart from working as a pump. It
is primarily a result of injury such as an automobile accident,
and must be treated immediately.
Percutaneous: Performed through a small opening in the skin.
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA).:
see Angioplasty.
Plaque: The accumulated material that causes a blockage
in a blood vessel. Also known as a lesion or stenosis.
Platelets: A substance in the blood that is involved in
the formation of a clot.
Pressure monitors and pressure lines: Devices used to measure
the internal pressures that the heart and lungs are emitting. Inserted
through an arterial source in the neck, arm or leg.
Pulmonary Function Studies: A series of tests which are
performed before surgery to evaluate the condition of your lungs.
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Restenosis: A re-narrowing or blockage of
an artery a the same site where angioplasty was previously done.
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Saphenous Vein: The large vein in the leg,
often used as the "bypass graft" in coronary artery bypass
graft surgery.
Stenosis: A narrowing of any canal. Used to describe narrowed
coronary arteries or a narrowed heart valve.
Stent: An expandable, slotted metal tube, inserted into
a vessel. A stent acts as a scaffold to provide structural support
for a vessel. A drug-coated stent allows for the placement of that
particular drug at the stent implantation site.
Sternum: The breastbone
Suctioning: A procedure which is performed while you are
connected to the ventilator. It involves placing a small tube down
the throat which will draw out mucous and cause you to cough. The
procedure helps to keep the lungs clear.
Sutures(Stitches): The material used to close the surgical
incision.
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Tachycardia: An abnormally fast heart rate.
Telemetry Monitory: A specialized monitor which allows you
to move freely in your room and the hall, but still enables the
staff to observe your EKG. It operates on a principle similar to
a radio.
Thrombosis: A blockage caused by clumps of cells.
Triglycerides: Substances in the blood that are a component
of the "bad" type of cholesterol.
Valves: The heart has 4 valves; the aortic,
mitral, pulmonary and the tricuspid
- Aortic Valve: The valve that sits at the junction of
the left ventricle and the aorta. When the valve is open it allows
blood to flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and when closed,
prevents any backward flow.
- Aortic Insufficiency: An incomplete closing of the aortic
valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left ventricle.
- Aortic Stenosis: A narrowing of the aortic valve, causing
the left ventricle to work harder but limiting the amount of blood
that can be pumped forward into the aorta.
- Mitral Valve: The valve that sits between the left atrium
and the left ventricle.
- Mitral Insufficiency: An incomplete closing of the mitral
valve, causing blood to flow backward in to the left atrium.
- Mitral Stenosis: A narrowing of the mitral valve, causing
blood to flow backward into the left atrium.
- Pulmonary Valve: The valve that sits at the junction
of the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
- Tricuspid Valve: The valve that sits between the right
atrium and the right ventricle.
Veins: Part of the body's system which transports returning
blood to the heart after the oxygen has been used by the body.
Vein Graft: A piece of a vein taken from with either a leg
or arm that is used to bypass the damaged coronary artery and restore
blood flow to the heart muscle.
Ventilator: A machine which will help you to breathe after
surgery
Ventricle: One of the two lower chambers of the heart
Ventricular Fibrillation: This
term refers to a very rapid, uncoordinated, ineffective series of
contractions throughout the lower chambers of the heart. Unless
stopped, these chaotic impulses are fatal.
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