CVRI-abriviations

ACS

acute coronary syndrome -includes unstable angina and myocardial infarction

AMI

acute myocardial infarction -heart attack; death of myocardial tissue

ACLS

advanced cardiac life support -skills used in the treatment of cardiac failure and arrhythmias

AF

atrial fibrillation -arrhythmia originates in the upper chamber of the heart

EVAR

endovascular aneurysm repair -repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

NSTEMI

non-ST elevation myocardial infarction -type of heart attack

VF

ventricular fibrillation -serious arrhythmia

CoA

Coarctation of the aorta -narrowing of the largest artery in the body

SVT

Super Ventricular Tachycardia -rapid heart beats arising from the atria and causing palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm -abnormal widening of the largest artery in the body

ACE inhibitor

angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitir -drug that is used to treat hypertension

AS

aortic stenosis -narrowing of the aorta

ASD

atrial septal defect -congenital heart defect; hole in the wall between the atria and ventricles

AV

atrioventricular -pertaining to the upper and lower heart chambers

AICD

automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator -device that is implanted in the chest to treat arrhythmias

BP

blood pressure -normal is 120/80

BNP

brain natriuretic peptide -this substance is elevated in congestive heart failure

CTNI (cTnI)

cardiac troponin-I -protein released into the blood steam after myocardial injury

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation -technique used to resume working of he heart and lungs

Cath

catheterization -procedure in which a tube is placed in a blood vessel

CRT

certified respiratory therapist -biventricular heart pacing

CHF

congestive heart failure -heart can't pump the required amount of blood

CABG

coronary artery bypass grafting -vessels are anastomosed around occlusions to restore blood flow in coronary arteries

CCU

coronary care unit -area where specialized care is given for patient's with heart conditions or after heart surgery

CK

creatine kinase -substance released into the bloodstream after injury to heart or muscles

DVT

deep vein thrombosis -clot that originates in deep vein

DSA

digital subtraction angiography -x-ray recording of the blood vessels surrounding the heart

ECHO

echocardiography -recording of sound waves as they bounce off structures within the heart

EF

ejection fraction -measure of the amount of blood that pumps out of the heart with each beat

ECG

electrocardiography -recording of the electrical activity of the heart

ETT

exercise tolerance test -assessment of the hearts ability to cope with increased physical activity

ETT-MBI

exercise tolerance test combined with a radioactive tracer (sestamibi) scan -treadmill and radioactive tracer test physical activity effect on heart function

ECMO

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -method used by the heart-lung machine

HDL

high-density lipoprotein -type of lipoprotein

HTN

hypertension -high blood pressure

LAD

left anterior descending -coronary artery

LVAD

left ventricular assist device (bridge to transplant)

LDL

low-density lipoprotein -combination of fat and protein

MVP

mitral valve prolapse -left-side valve does not close properly

MUGA

multiple-gated acquisition scan -radioactive test of heart function

MI

myocardial infarction -heart attack

NSR

normal sinus rhythm -the regular, normal heart beat

PCI

percutaneous coronary intervention -angioplasty procedures are an example

PDA

peripheral artery disease -congenital heart condition in which a connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta remains open after birth (does not close)

PAC

premature atrial contraction -upper chamber if the heart is beating out of rhythm

PE

pulmonary embolism -blood clot that lodges in the lungs

SA node

sino arterial node -pacemaker of the heart

TEVAR

thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair -treatment for an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta

TAVR

transcatheter aortic valve replacement -treatment for aortic valve stenosis

TEE

transesophageal echocardiography -catheter with a transduce is placed in the esophagus to obtain ultrasound images of the heart

VA

unstable angina -chest pain at rest of increasing frequency

AED

Automated External Defibrillators -portable electronic device that diagnoses and treats arrhythmias