Diagnostic Tests & Procedures
angiogram
A radiograph test that uses a contrast agent (dye) and a camera to take pictures of the blood flow in arteries or veins.
blood transfusion
The transfer of blood, or blood components such as red blood cells, from a donor to a recipient
angiotensin-converting (ACE) inhibitor
Medication that keeps the body from making angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow). Because ACE inhibitors prevent blood-vessel constriction, they help treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
BP
Blood Pressure
anemia
Disorder involving a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin
auscultation
Process of listening to the internal sounds of the body using a stethoscope
bone marrow transplant
The replacement of diseased bone-marrow cells in a patient with healthy bone-marrow cells from a donor
antianginal
Medication used to prevent or alleviate angina (spasmodic chest pain).
CHF
congestive heart failure
aplastic anemia
Disorder in which the bone marrow does not produce enough new red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
blood pressure (BP)
The pressure exerted by the blood on the wall of an artery or vein. Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer (SFIG-moh-muh-NAH-muh-tur).
cardioversion
Procedure in which controlled electrical shocks are sent through the heart to restore normal cardiac rhythm in a patient with arrhythmia.
antiarrhythmic
An agent used to alleviate or prevent cardiac arrhythmia.
DNR
do not resuscitate
hemolytic anemia
Disorder marked by excessive destruction of RBCs.
cardiac catheterization
Passage of a tiny plastic tube into the heart through a blood vessel, usually through the femoral artery in the leg; used to diagnose heart diseases or abnormalities
coronary artery bypass graft
A shunt (passageway), established surgically, that allows blood to travel from the aorta to a branch of the coronary artery at a point beyond an obstruction
anticoagulant
An agent used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Also known as a blood thinner.
DOA
dead on arrival
iron-deficient anemia
Condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells due to lack of iron, which is a mineral essential for hemoglobin production.
Doppler sonography, Doppler ultrasound
Procedure in which blood flow and blood pressure are measured using ultrasound technology (high-frequency sound waves). The sound waves are “bounced” off red blood cells as they circulate through the blood vessels. Doppler sonography differs from standard ultrasound imaging procedures in that the latter cannot measure blood flow.
defibrillation
Procedure used to stop atrial or ventricular fibrillation (an irregular and usually rapid heartbeat) by means of drugs or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) surgically placed in the chest or abdomen
antihypertensive
Medication used to counteract high blood pressure.
HR
heart rate
aneurysm
Localized, balloon-like dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery