Medical Terminology Related to the Cardiovascular System

Question 1

Anastomosis (distal versus proximal)

Answer 1

An anastomosis is a surgical connection usually between two channels or tubular structures such as coronary arteries. Distal and proximal are anatomic terms that identify location based on a central location such as the heart. Structures closest to the heart are considered proximal and structures a distance from the heart are considered distal. A proximal anastomosis is made above the blockage and a distal anastomosis is made below the blockage in the artery.

Question 2

Angina Pectoris

Answer 2

Relating to spasmodic attacks of suffocating pain as related to an inflammatory condition of the throat or mouth or angina pectoris. This is marked by chest pain due to deficient oxygenation of the heart muscle.

Question 3

Angiocarditis

Answer 3

Inflammation of heart and vessels.

Question 4

Angiography

Answer 4

Radiographic visualization of blood vessels following introduction of contrast material.

Question 5

Angioplasty

Answer 5

Surgical repair of vessels.

Question 6

Antegrade

Answer 6

Implies going with the flow and moving forward. When a vascular catheter is inserted in a vein and moved up the venous system it is considered antegrade or going with the flow.

Question 7

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 7

Hardening of an artery.

Question 8

Arteriotomy

Answer 8

Incision into an artery.

Question 9

Atherosclerosis

Answer 9

A type of arteriosclerosis characterized by lipid deposits causing fibrosis and calcification.

Question 10

Bovie Cautery

Answer 10

This is a surgical tool used to cut and seal tissues and blood vessels by use of an electrical current.

Question 11

Bradycardia

Answer 11

Slow heartbeat.

Question 12

Bull-dog clamp

Answer 12

A surgical tool used to stop blood flow from one area to another in surgery.

Question 13

Cannulation

Answer 13

Insertion of a vascular cannula (tube) into a blood vessel.

Question 14

Cardiocentesis

Answer 14

Surgical puncture of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart to draw off excess fluid.

Question 15

Cardiologist

Answer 15

A physician specializing in diseases of the heart.

Question 16

Cardiomegaly

Answer 16

Enlargement of the heart.

Question 17

Cardioplegia

Answer 17

Temporary cessation of the heartbeat during surgery using cardioplegia solutions.

Question 18

Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Answer 18

Paralysis of the heart (cardiac arrest) during cardiac surgery, this is done by drugs (pharmacological) and an external pump for a bloodless operating field.

Question 19

Carditis

Answer 19

Inflammation of the heart.

Question 20

Coronary artery bypass graft x 2

Answer 20

This refers to a CABG where two coronary arteries were bypassed such as a reverse saphenous vein graft to left anterior descending artery and reverse saphenous vein graft to obtuse marginal artery.

Question 21

Cyanosis

Answer 21

Bluing of skin and mucous membranes caused by oxygen deficiency.

Question 22

Diastole

Answer 22

Relaxation of the heart allowing blood to refill the heart chambers.

Question 23

Dual stage venous cannula

Answer 23

A two-staged venous cannula has an angled bend near the distal end, which is usually at a right angle. This is used to drain the inferior vena cava for cardiopulmonary bypass used in copen cardiothoracic surgery.

Question 24

Electrocardiogram

Answer 24

Electrical tracing of the heart and heart muscle activity.

Question 25

Embolism

Answer 25

Loose blood clot traveling through a blood vessel to another part of the body.

Question 26

Epicardial leads

Answer 26

These are electrical leads like those used in a pacemaker or ICD. Epicardial indicates the leads were placed directly on the epicardium or outer layer of the heart.

Question 27

Foley catheter

Answer 27

An indwelling urinary catheter attached to a drainage bag.

Question 28

Hemangioma

Answer 28

Benign tumor of a blood vessel.

Question 29

Hypertension

Answer 29

Persistent excessive pressure in the arteries.

Question 30

Lumen

Answer 30

The cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ.

Question 31

Pacemaker

Answer 31

A system that uses low-energy electronic pulses to support and control the heart rhythm as needed.

Question 32

Pericarditis

Answer 32

Inflammation of the pericardium.

Question 33

Pledgets

Answer 33

Surgical pledgets are synthetic patches made of poly-tetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE) that are nonabsorbable. They reduce the possibility of sutures tearing through delicate tissue. Pledgets are often used a support for sutures. Pledgets distribute the tension evenly across sutures and protect the tissues from thread tension, which enables better tightening of the sutures. Pledgets are also used as a buttress for nonabsorbable sutures in various surgical procedures, such as septal repair, vascular closure, valvular suturing, myocardial closure, etc.

Question 34

Retrograde

Answer 34

Going in the opposite direction of the flow or against the flow is considered retrograde. When a catheter is placed in the femoral artery and moved up into the aorta toward the heart, this is going in the opposite direction of the blood flow or retrograde.

Question 35

Seldinger technique

Answer 35

The Seldinger technique was first described in 1953 by Sven Ivar Seldinger (1921-1998), a Swedish interventional radiologist. It is used routinely today across all medical and surgical specialties as a method of safely placing large cannulas into blood vessels and/or body cavities. Prior to using this technique there were many complications associated with these procedures. The Seldinger technique begins when the desired vessel or cavity is punctured using a trocar (hollow needle). Next a soft curved tip guidewire is then inserted through the trocar and advanced into the lumen of the blood vessel or organ/body cavity under care. The guidewire is held secured in place while the introducer trocar is removed. Then a large-bore sheath/cannula/catheter is passed over the guidewire into the lumen/cavity. Once the cannula is placed the guidewire is withdrawn leaving the introducer sheath in place through which catheters and other medical devices can be introduced later.

Question 36

Sinuses of Valsalva

Answer 36

The sinuses of valsalva are located just above the aortic valve in the ascending aorta. There are three sinuses in the normal heart that give rise to the left and right coronary arteries and the third sinus is noncoronary.

Question 37

Subclavian vas-cath

Answer 37

This is slang for a vascular catheter placed in the subclavian vein.

Question 38

Systole

Answer 38

Contraction of the heart.

Question 39

Thoracotomy

Answer 39

Surgical opening into the thoracic cavity.

Question 40

Thrombus

Answer 40

Stationary blood clot formed within a blood vessel.

Question 41

Transluminal

Answer 41

Passing through a tubular organ or part such as the lumen of a blood vessel.

Question 42

Valsalva maneuver

Answer 42

Forceful exhalation against a closed glottis is the clinical definition of the Valsalva maneuver. It is very similar to forceful bearing down during childbirth or defecation. It decreases the pressure on the right side of the heart and can help slow the heart rate.

Question 43

Ventriculoarterial shunt

Answer 43

a device placed to divert cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the cerebral ventricle to the right atrium pericardial cradle - a surgical technique for supporting or suspending the heart using a segment of pericardium during open heart surgery occlusion in the distal left main - A blockage of arterial blood specifically in the far portion of the Left Main coronary artery. The Left Main is the coronary artery that feeds oxygen to the left side of the heart; occlusion of this artery could lead to ischemic heart disease.

Question 44

Subclavian Vas-Cath

Answer 44

catheter placed in the subclavian vein for specific circulation access, usually used for hemodialysis or medication administration.