Tests & Procedures
What is Angiogram?
A radiograph test that uses a contrast agent (dye) and a camera to take pictures of the blood flow in arteries or veins.
What is blood transfusion?
The transfer of blood, or blood components such as red blood cells, from a donor to a recipient.
What is 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).
What is AV?
atrioventricular
What is anemia?
Disorder involving a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
What is auscultation?
Process of listening to the internal sounds of the body using a stethoscope.
What is bone marrow transplant?
The replacement of diseased bone-marrow cells in a patient with bone-marrow cells from a donor.
What is antianginal?
Medication used to prevent or alleviate angina (spasmodic chest pain).
What is BP?
Blood pressure
What is aneurysm?
Localized, balloon-like dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery.
What is blood pressure?
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).
What is cardioversion?
Procedure in which controlled electrical shocks are sent through the heart to restore normal cardiac rhythm in a patient with arrhythmia.
What is antiarrhythmic?
An agent used to alleviate or prevent cardiac arrhythmia.
What is BW?
Blood work
What is flutter?
Condition in which the atria beat more rapidly than the ventricles, causing a quivering movement; atrial flutter.
What is 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.
What is 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.
What is anticoagulant?
An agent used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Also known as a blood thinner.
What is bpm?
What is premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?
Extra, abnormal heartbeats that disrupt the regular ventricular rhythm of the heart.
What is 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. Also called Doppler ultrasound.
What is 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.
What is calcium channel blocker?
A drug used to dilate (widen) arteries and reduce blood pressure, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
What is DOA?
Dead on arrival
What is cardiac tamponade?
Cardiomyopathy