Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia Invasive treatment that applies radiofrequency to eliminate ventricular scar circuits that cause recurrent arrhythmias.

Also: TV

Ablation of the atrioventricular node Therapeutic destruction of the AV node by catheter to induce a permanent block in patients with refractory arrhythmias.

Also: from the AV junction

Catheter ablation Interventional therapeutic procedure that locally and selectively destroys the myocardial tissue causing a cardiac arrhythmia.

Also: radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation

Femoral vascular access Traditional approach for cardiac catheterization that uses percutaneous puncture of the common femoral artery.

Also: transfemoral access

Radial vascular access Arterial approach of choice for coronary angiography that uses puncture of the radial artery, reducing bleeding complications.

Also: transradial access

Excitation-contraction coupling Process by which electrical depolarization of the cell membrane triggers mechanical contraction of the sarcomere.

Also: cardiac electromechanical coupling

Cardiac actin Globular protein that forms the thin filaments of the sarcomere on which the myosin heads slide.

Also: thin myocardial filament

Activity triggered Generation of arrhythmias secondary to transmembrane potential oscillations called afterdepolarizations during or after repolarization.

Also: arrhythmia due to post-depolarization

Permeable oval foramen Persistence of fetal atrial septal defect due to lack of fusion of the septum primum and secundum without tissue deficiency.

Also: AOP · patent foramen ovale

Pulmonary vein isolation Circumferential ablation technique around the ostium of the pulmonary veins to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Also: venous electric

T wave alternation Beat-to-beat variability of the amplitude or morphology of the T wave associated with electrical instability and sudden death.

Also: MTWA · microvolt T-wave alternans

Cardiac amyloidosis Infiltrative disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of abnormal amyloid fibrils in the myocardium, producing restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Also: cardiac amyloid · amyloid cardiopathy

Potts anastomosis Lateral surgical connection historically created between the descending aorta and the left pulmonary artery for palliative purposes.

Also: Potts shunt

Waterston anastomosis Surgical short circuit historically created between the ascending aorta and the right pulmonary artery to increase flow.

Also: Waterston shunt

Anastomotic aneurysm Localized vascular dilation that develops at the suture line of a previous surgical anastomosis.

Also: suture pseudoaneurysm

Coronary aneurysm Focal dilation of a coronary artery that exceeds the diameter of the adjacent healthy segment by more than one and a half times.

Also: focal coronary ectasia

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty Endovascular intervention that dilates a blocked coronary artery by inflating a balloon at the end of a catheter under pressure.

Also: ACTP · coronary angioplasty

Rescue angioplasty Urgent coronary angioplasty performed after failure of thrombolytic therapy in an acute myocardial infarction.

Also: ACTP rescue

Primary angioplasty Reperfusion strategy of choice in acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation through urgent angioplasty.

Also: Primary ACTP

Cardiac angiosarcoma Malignant and aggressive primary tumor of the heart derived from the vascular endothelium, located predominantly in the cavity of the right atrium.

Also: cardiac endothelial sarcoma

Coronary CT angiography Non-invasive tomographic study that uses intravenous contrast to visualize the anatomy of the coronary artery tree and detect stenosis.

Also: coronary CT angiography

Vieussens Ring Prominent physiological arterial anastomosis that connects the left conal artery with the right conal artery.

Also: conal collateral

Ebstein anomaly Apical displacement of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve with atrialization of the portion of the right ventricle.

Also: Ebstein's malformation · Ebstein tricuspid

Class I antiarrhythmics Drugs that preferentially block cardiac sodium channels, slowing the rate of myocardial depolarization.

Also: sodium channel blockers

Class II antiarrhythmics Beta adrenergic receptor blocking agents that attenuate cardiac sympathetic stimulation and reduce automatism.

Also: heart beta blockers

Class III antiarrhythmics Drugs that prolong the duration of the action potential and the refractory period by blocking potassium channels.

Also: potassium channel blockers

Class IV antiarrhythmics Non-dihydropyridine calcium antagonists that slow down the conduction velocity and lengthen the refractoriness of the AV node.

Also: nodal calcium antagonists

Aortic valve area Surface available for the outflow of transaortic flow, whose critical value defines the severity of aortic stenosis.

Also: AVA

Mitral valve area Geometric or functional dimension of the mitral valve opening estimated by two-dimensional echocardiography or Doppler.

Also: AVM

Circumflex artery Branch of the left coronary artery that runs through the left atrioventricular sulcus, supplying the lateral wall of the heart.

Also: ACX · left circumflex

Left circumflex artery of anomalous origin Congenital variant in which the circumflex artery arises from the right sinus of Valsalva or the right coronary artery.

Also: ACX abnormal

Right coronary artery Artery that runs through the right coronary sulcus providing blood flow to the right atrium, right ventricle and inferior wall.

Also: ACD · right coronary artery

Left coronary artery Major coronary vessel that originates in the left sinus of Valsalva and divides into the anterior descending and circumflex arteries.

Also: left coronary trunk · TCI

AV conduction artery Small arterial vessel that selectively irrigates the atrioventricular node, usually originating from the dominant artery.

Also: AV node artery

Sinus node artery Coronary vessel responsible for irrigation of the sinus node, originating from the right coronary artery or the circumflex artery depending on the anatomy.

Also: sinus nodular artery

Previous descending artery Branch of the left coronary artery that runs through the anterior interventricular sulcus, supplying the anterior wall and septum.

Also: ADA · previous descending

Internal mammary artery Thoracic arterial vessel used of choice as a graft for revascularization of the anterior descending artery.

Also: internal thoracic artery

Aberrant right subclavian artery Congenital anatomical variation where this artery arises directly from the descending aortic arch and runs behind the esophagus.

Also: lusorial artery

Monckeberg arteriosclerosis Degenerative calcification of the middle layer of medium and small caliber arteries that does not obstruct the vascular lumen.

Also: Monckeberg medial sclerosis

Obstructive left main coronary artery disease Presence of critical stenosis or complex atheroma located at the origin of the left coronary arteries.

Also: of coronary trunk

Peripheral arterial disease Chronic obstructive disease of the arteries of the limbs, usually of atherosclerotic etiology, which progressively compromises distal flow.

Also: peripheral arterial disease

Giant cell arteritis Systemic vasculitis that affects medium and large caliber arteries, with a predilection for the extracranial branches of the carotid.

Also: temporal arteritis

Takayasu arteritis Chronic inflammatory vasculitis of large vessels that affects the aorta and its main branches, producing stenosis and absence of pulses.

Also: pulseless disease

Rotational atherectomy Coronary intervention technique that uses an oval diamond-coated bur to pulverize calcified plaques.

Also: rotablator

Aortic atresia Congenital absence of aortic valve opening, usually associated with hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome.

Also: aortic agenesis

Pulmonary atresia Congenital malformation characterized by the absence of a patent communication between the right ventricle and the trunk of the pulmonary artery.

Also: congenital pulmonary flow obstruction

Tricuspid atresia Congenital absence of the tricuspid valve that prevents direct communication between the right atrium and ventricle.

Also: tricuspid agenesis

Cardiac automation Inherent capacity of specialized cells of the conduction tissue to initiate an action potential spontaneously.

Also: spontaneous batmotropism

Intra-aortic counterpulsation balloon Temporary mechanical assistance device in the aorta that inflates in diastole to improve coronary flow and deflates in systole to reduce afterload.

Also: BCIAO · intra-aortic balloon

Baroreflex Fast regulatory reflex mediated by arterial baroreceptors that adjusts heart rate and vascular resistance to tension variations.

Also: baroreceptor reflex

Batmotropism Degree of cellular excitability by which the myocyte responds to an electrical or mechanical stimulus of adequate threshold.

Also: myocardial excitability

First degree AV block Constant delay in impulse conduction from the atria to the ventricles with a uniformly prolonged PR interval.

Also: PR interval extension

Mobitz I second degree AV block Progressive delay in atrioventricular conduction beat by beat until an atrial impulse fails to depolarize the ventricles.

Also: Wenckebach phenomenon

Mobitz II second degree AV block Sudden and intermittent failure of the conduction of the P wave towards the ventricles without prior prolongation of the PR interval.

Also: episodic infrahisian block

Third degree AV block Complete interruption of impulse conduction between atria and ventricles, requiring an inferior escape pacemaker.

Also: full AV block · complete atrioventricular dissociation

Bifascicular block Electrocardiographic combination of right bundle branch block with left anterior or posterior hemiblock.

Also: involvement of two conduction fascicles

Right bundle branch block Intraventricular conduction disorder due to interruption of the right bundle of His that widens the QRS complex with rSR' image in V1.

Also: BRD · BRDHH

Left bundle branch block Conduction alteration in the left bundle of His that widens the QRS and produces wide and jagged R waves in DI, aVL, V5 and V6.

Also: BRI · BRIHH

Sinoatrial block Conduction disorder in which the impulse generated in the sinus node fails to be transmitted to the adjacent atrial tissue.

Also: BSA · sinus outlet block

Trifascicular block Conduction disturbance characterized by bifascicular block and concomitant prolongation of the PR interval or other signs of diffuse disturbance.

Also: involvement of three fascicles

Calf muscle pump Physiological mechanism by which the contraction of the leg muscles compresses the deep veins, propelling blood.

Also: peripheral heart

SERCA2a pump Calcium-transporting ATPase that actively reintroduces calcium ions to the sarcoplasmic reticulum during myocardial relaxation.

Also: sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump

Aortocoronary bypass Cardiac surgery procedure that creates a vascular bypass bridge to bypass blockages in the coronary arteries using venous or arterial grafts.

Also: coronary bridge · surgical revascularization

Mitral annular calcification Chronic degenerative process due to calcium deposits at the fibrous annulus of the mitral valve.

Also: mitral annulus calcification · CAM

Coronary calcification Progressive deposition of calcium salts and phosphates in the atherosclerotic plaques of the coronary arteries.

Also: coronary artery calcification

Pericardial calcification Abnormal calcium deposit in the pericardial sac that is usually associated with long-standing constrictive pericarditis.

Also: pericardial shell

Calsequestrina High capacity storage protein located inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum that fixes calcium ions.

Also: intrareticular calcium fixative

L-type calcium channel Transmembrane ion channel responsible for the plateau phase of the action potential and the entry of calcium that initiates contraction.

Also: dihydropyridine channel · CACNA1C

Late rectifier potassium channel Transmembrane channel responsible for the release of potassium ions that facilitates the repolarization of the action potential.

Also: cardiac potassium channel IKr · IKs channel

Cardiac channelopathy Genetically based arrhythmogenic disorder produced by mutations in the genes that encode cardiomyocyte ion channels.

Also: arrhythmia due to ion channel defect

Fibrous layer Collagen-rich connective tissue cover synthesized by smooth muscle cells that isolates the lipid core from blood flow.

Also: fibrous cap · fibrous cap of the plate

Cardiotoxicity Direct harmful effect of chemicals or drugs on the structure, function or electrophysiology of the heart.

Also: toxic-induced cardiac

Elective electrical cardioversion Programmed procedure that applies an electrical shock synchronized with the QRS to restore sinus rhythm.

Also: scheduled synchronized

Pharmacological cardioversion Administration of antiarrhythmic drugs with the objective of reversing an active cardiac arrhythmia to normal sinus rhythm.

Also: of rhythm chemistry

Directional atherectomy catheter Endovascular device provided with a rotating blade to cut and store plaque from the arterial wall.

Also: cut

Selective intravascular infusion catheter Microperforated tip catheter designed for the local administration of thrombolytic agents directly into an occluded artery.

Also: infusion

Swan-Ganz catheter Flexible intravascular catheter provided with a distal balloon that is introduced into the pulmonary artery to measure advanced hemodynamic variables.

Also: pulmonary artery catheter

Transseptal catheterization Invasive technique for accessing the left atrium through controlled puncture of the interatrial septum from the right atrium.

Also: transseptal puncture

Foam cell Activated macrophage in the intimal layer that has phagocytosed oxidized low-density lipoproteins until they acquire a vacuolated appearance.

Also: foam cell

Refractory cardiogenic shock Severe tissue hypoperfusion state due to cardiac pump failure that persists despite maximum doses of inotropes.

Also: of persistent

Fontan Surgery Palliative surgical shunt that connects the vena cava system directly to the pulmonary arteries without the interposition of a pumping ventricle.

Also: total cavopulmonary bypass · Fontan-Kreutzer procedure

Glenn Surgery Surgical anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the right pulmonary artery in a bidirectional manner as a prior step to the Fontan technique.

Also: bidirectional cavopulmonary bypass · Glenn two-way

Maze Surgery Surgical intervention on the atrial tissue aimed at interrupting the macroreentrant circuits responsible for atrial fibrillation.

Also: atrial labyrinth procedure · Maze

Forrester Classification Method that classifies patients with acute myocardial infarction into four hemodynamic subgroups according to cardiac index and pulmonary capillary pressure.

Also: Forrester quadrants

Intermacs Classification Seven clinical profile scale that describes the level of severity and urgency of patients requiring mechanical circulatory assistance.

Also: INTERMACS profiles

Killip Rating Four clinical stage scale to evaluate and predict the severity of acute heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction.

Also: Killip and Kimball scale

Lown Rating Stratification system that grades the prognostic severity of ventricular extrasystoles in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Also: Lown scale

Vaughan Williams Rating Scheme that categorizes antiarrhythmic drugs into four main classes based on their electrophysiological mechanism of action.

Also: Vaughan Williams groups

NYHA Classification Four-class functional system that grades the severity of heart failure according to the degree of limitation in physical activity.

Also: New York Heart Association functional scale

Ejection click Sharp and early accessory noise produced at the beginning of systole due to the sudden opening of diseased or rigid semilunar valves.

Also: systolic ejection click

Mid-systolic click Audible high-pitched click in the middle portion of systole classically related to mitral valve prolapse.

Also: mitral prolapse click

Aortic coarctation Congenital narrowing of the lumen of the aorta, usually located near the insertion of the ductus arteriosus.

Also: coarctation of the aorta · congenital aortic stenosis

Reverse aortic coarctation Uncommon clinical condition where the pressure in the lower limbs is higher than that in the upper limbs.

Also: inverted coarctation phenomenon

Shone Complex Congenital heart disease characterized by the coexistence of multiple serial obstructions in the left chambers of the heart.

Also: obstructive left anomaly syndrome

QRS complex Set of electrocardiographic deflections that represent the rapid depolarization of both cardiac ventricles.

Also: ventricular depolarization in ECG

Ventricular compliance Ability of the ventricle to passively distend to accommodate blood filling without generating an excessive increase in pressure.

Also: ventricular compliance

Complication due to post-catheterization arteriovenous fistula Iatrogenic abnormal communication between the artery and vein punctured during a catheterization procedure.

Also: femoral access

Interatrial communication Congenital defect in the septum that separates both atria, allowing a short circuit from left to right.

Also: CIA · earphone communication

Ventricular communication Congenital defect in the interventricular septum that allows blood to pass between both ventricles.

Also: CIV · ventricular communication

Post-infarction interventricular communication Acquired mechanical defect of the interventricular septum due to tissue necrosis of ischemic origin that induces severe left-right shunt.

Also: post-infarction septal rupture

Patent ductus arteriosus Persistence of the fetal structure that connects the descending aorta with the left pulmonary artery after birth.

Also: patent ductus arteriosus · CAP · PDA

Arancio Conduit Embryonic vascular structure that connects the umbilical vein with the inferior vena cava, bridging the fetal hepatic circulation.

Also: ductus venosus

Pelvic congestion Painful pelvic venous varicosities secondary to chronic reflux of the ovarian or internal iliac veins.

Also: pelvic congestion syndrome

Pulmonary congestion Accumulation of interstitial or alveolar fluid in the lungs secondary to elevated pressures in the pulmonary veins and left atrium.

Also: hemodynamic pulmonary edema

Systemic congestion Anomalous and retrograde accumulation of fluid volume in the peripheral venous territory secondary to failure of the right cavities.

Also: systemic water overload

Maximum oxygen consumption Maximum amount of oxygen that the body is capable of absorbing, transporting and consuming per unit of time during physical effort.

Also: VO2 max

Myocardial oxygen consumption Net amount of oxygen consumed by the myocardium per unit of time, dependent on heart rate and tension.

Also: MVO2

Sodium input current Rapid flow of sodium ions through specific channels that initiates rapid depolarization of the working cardiomyocyte.

Also: INa current

Right-left short circuit Passage of deoxygenated blood from the right heart chambers to the left, which causes cyanosis.

Also: right-left shunt

Left-right short circuit Anomalous passage of oxygenated blood from the left to the right cavities through a structural defect.

Also: left-right shunt

Aorta occlusion zipper Inflatable endovascular device used for the temporary control of massive uncontrolled aortic hemorrhages.

Also: REBOA

Balloon cryoablation Technique that uses freezing at extreme temperatures using a balloon to electrically isolate the pulmonary veins.

Also: cryomapping and cryoablation

Duke's Criteria Set of microbiological, clinical and imaging parameters systematically used to establish the diagnosis of suspected infective endocarditis.

Also: Duke scale

Framingham Criteria Set of major and minor clinical criteria systematically used to establish the diagnosis of heart failure.

Also: Framingham criteria for HF

Modified Framingham criteria Version of the Framingham criteria that incorporates modern biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure.

Also: Framingham modified

Jones Criteria Standardized clinical guidelines that combine major and minor manifestations with evidence of streptococcal infection for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever.

Also: Jones scale

Yale Criteria Clinical scale to evaluate the probability of aortic involvement or dissection in patients presenting with acute chest pain.

Also: Yale diagnostic criteria

Chronotropism Ability of the heart to regulate the firing rate of the electrical impulses generated in its biological pacemaker.

Also: sinus depolarization frequency

First order tendon cords Fibrous insertion filaments that are anchored directly to the free edge of the atrioventricular leaflets.

Also: marginal insertion

Second order chordae tendineae Fibrous filaments that are inserted into the ventricular side of the leaflets and act by reducing mechanical tension.

Also: intermediate

Third order chordae tendineae Short fibrous cords that directly join the tricuspid or mitral annulus with the myocardium of the ventricle.

Also: ring support

Myocardial deformation Measurement of the percentage change in the length of a myocardial segment with respect to its initial length during the cardiac cycle.

Also: myocardial strain

Myxomatous degeneration Alteration of the connective tissue with accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the mitral leaflets, causing them to become hypercompliant and redundant.

Also: Barlow's disease · myxomatous mitral valve

Electrocardiographic lead Recording of the difference in electrical potential between two points on the body or between an electrode and a reference point of zero potential.

Also: ECG lead

Bipolar leads Electrocardiographic recordings that measure the difference in electrical potential between two active limb electrodes.

Also: standard limb leads

Monopolar leads Electrocardiographic records that compare the potential of an active electrode with a neutral reference of zero potential.

Also: Wilson derivations · unipolar extremities and precordials

Implantable automatic defibrillator Intracardiac electronic device capable of monitoring rhythm and delivering defibrillation shocks in the event of lethal ventricular arrhythmias.

Also: DAI · ICD

Subcutaneous defibrillator Implantable cardiodefibrillation system whose electrodes and generator are located entirely under the skin, without intravascular contact.

Also: Subcutaneous ICD

Myocardial depolarization Inversion of the membrane potential of cardiac cells due to the rapid entry of sodium or calcium ions.

Also: cardiomyocyte depolarization

Cardiovascular dysautonomia Disorder characterized by a dysfunction of the autonomic regulation system that alters blood pressure and heart rate.

Also: cardiovascular autonomic

Intercalary discs Specialized cell adhesion structures that mechanically bind and electrically couple adjacent cardiac myocytes.

Also: stair-like bands

Spontaneous coronary dissection Pathological separation of the layers of the wall of a coronary artery not caused by medical instrumentation that restricts the arterial lumen.

Also: DACE · non-iatrogenic coronary dissection

Papillary muscle dysfunction Acute complication of myocardial infarction where ischemia or rupture of the papillary muscles causes severe acute mitral insufficiency.

Also: coronary papillary dysfunction

Diastolic dysfunction Intrinsic defect in muscle relaxation or ventricular elasticity that occludes or alters blood filling in the cavity.

Also: alteration of myocardial filling

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction Disorder characterized by the loss of the dilatory capacity of coronary capillaries and arterioles in the absence of epicardial stenosis.

Also: coronary microcirculatory dysfunction

Structural prosthetic dysfunction Deterioration of the materials of a valve prosthesis that compromises its normal mechanical or biological functioning.

Also: of prosthetics

Sinus dysfunction Intrinsic abnormality of the sinus node to generate or transmit impulses that generates persistent bradycardia.

Also: sinus node disease · sick sinus syndrome

Systolic dysfunction Inability of the cardiac muscular pump to generate the contractile force necessary for optimal ventricular emptying.

Also: ventricular contractility failure

Isorithmic dissociation Type of atrioventricular dissociation in which the atria and ventricles beat at almost identical frequencies but without conduction relationship.

Also: isorrhythmic AV dissociation

QT dispersion Difference between the maximum and minimum duration of the QT interval measured in the different leads of the surface electrocardiogram.

Also: QT variability

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia Cardiopathy characterized by the progressive replacement of right ventricular myocytes by fibroadipose tissue, favoring serious arrhythmias.

Also: DAVD · arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Mitral valve dysplasia Congenital structural anomaly of the mitral leaflets, chordae or papillary muscles that compromises their function.

Also: mitral malformation

Ventricular assist device Implantable mechanical pump that partially or totally assists the contractile pumping function of a failing ventricle.

Also: DAV · mechanical ventricular assistance

MitraClip Device Percutaneous valve repair system that approximates the edges of both mitral leaflets using a metal clip to treat mitral insufficiency.

Also: percutaneous mitral clip

Double aortic injury Coexistence of variable degrees of combined stenosis and insufficiency in the same aortic valve of a patient.

Also: aortic stenoinsufficiency

Double mitral injury Clinical coexistence of simultaneous mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency in the same valve structure.

Also: mitral stenoregurgitation

Double product Parameter that estimates myocardial oxygen consumption by multiplying the heart rate by the patient's systolic blood pressure.

Also: tension-time

Coronary dominance Hemodynamic criterion that defines whether the posterior descending and posterolateral arteries come from the right coronary artery or the circumflex artery.

Also: cardiac dominance

Continuous wave Doppler Echocardiographic modality capable of measuring blood flows at high velocities along the entire ultrasound scan line.

Also: Continuous Doppler

Pulsed wave Doppler Echocardiographic modality that accurately measures blood flow velocity at a specific anatomical location or sample volume.

Also: Pulsed Doppler

Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic technique that specifically records the velocity of the myocardial walls during the cardiac cycle.

Also: DTI · Tissue Doppler · Cardiac DTI · tissue Doppler echocardiography · tissue velocity map

Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage Anomaly in which the pulmonary veins do not drain into the left atrium, but rather into the right atrium or into the systemic veins.

Also: DVAPT · total anomalous pulmonary connection

Dromotropism Ability to propagate and conduct electrical impulses through the specialized conduction system of the heart.

Also: myocardial conductivity

Contrast echocardiography Use of intravenous gas microbubbles during ultrasound to delimit borders, perfusion or detect short circuits.

Also: echo with contrast

Stress echocardiography Echocardiographic evaluation performed during physical exercise or infusion of vasoactive drugs to detect myocardial ischemia or viability.

Also: eco-stress

Doppler echocardiography Ultrasound modality that measures the speed and direction of intracardiac blood flow by changing the frequency of the ultrasound.

Also: Cardiac Doppler

Transesophageal echocardiography Ultrasonic diagnostic technique that introduces a probe into the esophagus to obtain high-resolution images of the cardiac chambers.

Also: ETE · transesophageal echo

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography Endoesophageal ultrasound scanning that provides real-time, high-definition spatial volume of the valves.

Also: ETE 3D

Transthoracic echocardiography Non-invasive diagnostic imaging method that uses ultrasound applied to the chest wall to evaluate the structure of the heart.

Also: ETT · transthoracic echo

Three-dimensional echocardiography Advanced ultrasound modality that allows real-time volumetric spatial reconstruction of cardiac structures.

Also: 3D echo

Diffuse coronary ectasia Diffuse dilation that affects more than fifty percent of the course of the coronary arteries.

Also: ectatic coronaries

Continuity equation Physical formula based on the principle of conservation of mass that calculates the effective valve area by multiplying flow velocities and areas.

Also: Doppler area calculation

Windkessel Effect Elastic cushioning capacity of the large arteries that transforms intermittent pulsatile flow into a continuous flow.

Also: of arterial reservoir

Cardiac electrical axis Mean direction of the depolarization vector of the ventricles projected onto the electrocardiographic frontal plane.

Also: QRS axis · electrical orientation of the heart

Ventricular elastance Intrinsic capacity of the myocardium to actively change its stiffness during the cardiac cycle, reflecting contractile function.

Also: end systolic elastance

Cholesterol embolism Occlusion of the microcirculation by cholesterol crystals detached from ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques after intravascular procedures.

Also: atheroembolism

Coronary air embolism Occlusion of a coronary artery due to air bubbles accidentally introduced during invasive procedures or surgeries.

Also: of myocardial air

Hypertensive emergency Situation characterized by an extreme elevation in blood pressure that is accompanied by acute and progressive damage to a target organ.

Also: hypertensive crisis with organ damage

Endomyocardiofibrosis Restrictive disease characterized by fibrosis of the endocardium and underlying myocardium that preferentially affects the ventricular apexes.

Also: endomyocardial fibrosis

Buerger's disease Non-atherosclerotic inflammatory occlusive vasculitis of the extremities, strongly associated with tobacco consumption.

Also: thromboangiitis obliterans

Kawasaki disease Acute febrile vasculitis of childhood with a predilection for the coronary arteries, with risk of aneurysm formation.

Also: mucocutaneous lymphonodular syndrome

Erythromelalgia Peripheral vascular disorder characterized by flushing attacks, increased temperature and burning pain in the extremities.

Also: acromelalgia

CHA2DS2-VASc scale Clinical thromboembolic risk stratification system used to guide anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation.

Also: score CHA2DS2-VASc

HAS-BLED scale Clinical scoring system used to estimate the risk of major bleeding at one year in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Also: HAS-BLED score

Venous sclerotherapy Treatment of varicose veins by injecting an irritating chemical substance that obliterates and collapses the diseased vein.

Also: varicose sclerosis

Coronary spasm Sudden, intense, reversible contraction of the smooth muscle of a coronary artery that critically decreases myocardial blood flow.

Also: coronary vasospasm · coronary artery spasm

Fibrous skeleton of the heart Dense connective tissue framework that surrounds the valve orifices and serves as an insertion to the myocardium, electrically isolating the atria from the ventricles.

Also: cardiac collagen

Aortic stenosis Reduction of the lumen of the aortic valve orifice that prevents the free outflow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta during ejection.

Also: aortic outlet obstruction

Senile aortic stenosis Progressive degenerative calcification of the aortic leaflets of elderly patients that generates ventricular outlet stenosis.

Also: calcified aorta of the elderly

Mitral stenosis Mechanical narrowing of the mitral valve orifice that exerts resistance to blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle in diastole.

Also: mitral obstruction

Rheumatic mitral stenosis Late sequel to rheumatic fever characterized by the fusion of the commissures and chords of the mitral valve, reducing its opening.

Also: rheumatic mitral

Pulmonary stenosis Obstruction to the outflow of the right ventricle caused by a narrowing at the level of the pulmonary valve.

Also: pulmonary obstruction

Subaortic stenosis Obstruction to the outflow of the left ventricle located immediately below the aortic valve, of a membranous or muscular nature.

Also: subaortic obstruction

Supra-aortic stenosis Narrowing located in the ascending aorta, above the sinuses of Valsalva, frequently associated with Williams syndrome.

Also: supravalvular aortic obstruction

Tricuspid stenosis Uncommon valve narrowing that hinders the normal flow of blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle during the diastole phase.

Also: tricuspid obstruction

Frequency control strategy Therapeutic approach in atrial fibrillation aimed at regulating the ventricular response using drugs without attempting to revert to sinus rhythm.

Also: ventricular rate control

Rhythm control strategy Treatment aimed at restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation using drugs or ablation.

Also: sinus rhythm control

Parietal shear stress Friction force per unit area exerted by blood flow on the intimal endothelial cells.

Also: shear stress

Fatty stretch mark earliest macroscopically visible atherosclerotic lesion, characterized by the intimal accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages.

Also: early lipid injury

Electrophysiological study Invasive diagnostic technique using intracardiac catheters to evaluate cardiac electrical activity and induce clinical arrhythmias.

Also: EEF · invasive electrophysiological study

Isovolumetric contraction phase Period of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract with all the valves closed, increasing their pressure.

Also: isovolumetric contraction

Rapid ventricular filling phase Initial period of diastole in which the blood accumulated in the atria flows rapidly to the ventricles.

Also: quick fill

Isovolumetric relaxation phase Initial period of diastole in which the ventricles relax with all the valves closed, decreasing their pressure.

Also: isovolumetric relaxation

Non-reflow phenomenon Absence of effective tissue reperfusion in the microcirculation of an ischemic area after mechanically opening the main epicardial artery.

Also: no-reflow

R over T phenomenon Induction of lethal ventricular arrhythmias when an extrasystole coincides with the vulnerable phase of T wave repolarization.

Also: repolarization vulnerability

Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon Episodic digital vasospasm triggered by cold that occurs in the context of an underlying connective tissue disease.

Also: secondary digital vasospasm

Subclavian theft phenomenon Reversal of blood flow in the ipsilateral vertebral artery secondary to a proximal stenosis of the subclavian artery.

Also: subclavian theft

Purkinje fibers Specialized terminal ventricular conduction network that allows rapid and synchronous depolarization of the ventricular myocardium.

Also: subendocardial Purkinje network · Purkinje myocytes

Long-term atrial fibrillation Continuous atrial fibrillation lasting more than one year in which a rhythm control strategy has been adopted.

Also: Long-lasting persistent AF

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation that occurs in the absence of moderate-severe mitral stenosis or mechanical valve prostheses.

Also: Non-valvular AF

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation that reverts spontaneously or with medical intervention within a period of less than seven days from its onset.

Also: Paroxysmal AF

Permanent atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation in which the rhythm has been definitively accepted and restoration of sinus rhythm has been given up.

Also: Permanent FA

Persistent atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation that lasts continuously for more than seven days and requires cardioversion for its cessation.

Also: Persistent FA

Papillary fibroelastoma Small benign valvular neoplasm with a branching, avascular appearance that can easily embolize systemically.

Also: benign valvular tumor · endocardial papilloma

Endocardial fibroelastosis Alteration characterized by diffuse fibroelastic thickening of the parietal endocardium, typically observed in infants with heart failure.

Also: childhood endocardial sclerosis

Rheumatic fever Multisystem inflammatory disease triggered by a poorly treated pharyngeal infection due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Also: acute rheumatic fever

Embolic protection filter Intravascular basket device that is placed distally in the artery during angioplasty to capture debris.

Also: distal protection

Inferior vena cava filter Implantable endovascular metallic device designed to capture venous emboli and prevent pulmonary emboli.

Also: Green-Field filter · of VCI · vena cava filter · cava basket · embolus interception device

Therapeutic arteriovenous fistula Direct surgical connection created between an artery and a vein to provide high-flow vascular access for hemodialysis.

Also: fistula for hemodialysis

Coronary fistula Direct anomalous vascular communication between a coronary artery and a cardiac cavity, vena cava or pulmonary artery.

Also: coronary arteriovenous fistula

Blalock-Taussig fistula Surgical creation of a conduit or shunt between a systemic artery and the pulmonary artery to palliatively increase cyanotic pulmonary flow.

Also: systemic-pulmonary shunt

Modified Blalock-Taussig fistula Palliative short circuit that uses a synthetic Gore-Tex tube to connect the subclavian artery with the pulmonary artery.

Also: BT modified

Phlebitis Inflammation of the wall of a vein, frequently associated with the presence of a superficial blood clot.

Also: superficial thrombophlebitis

Phleboextraction Surgical procedure that consists of the removal of insufficient superficial varicose veins.

Also: saphenectomy

Laminar flow Pattern of blood flow movement where the fluid moves in parallel concentric layers without turbulence.

Also: vascular aerodynamic flow · ordered physiological flow · laminar flow current · layered flow pattern

Turbulent flow Disordered movement pattern of blood flow characterized by swirls that generate audible murmurs.

Also: of disorganized · flow turbulence · vascular chaotic flow · blood swirls

Atypical atrial flutter Atrial tachycardia due to macroreentry that does not involve the cavotricuspid isthmus and presents a variable circuit.

Also: uncommon atrial flutter

Typical atrial flutter Organized atrial macroreentry confined to the right atrium that occurs and depends on the integrity of the cavotricuspid isthmus.

Also: common flutter · right atrial flutter

Bazett's formula Mathematical equation most used to calculate the corrected QT interval, dividing the observed QT by the square root of the RR interval.

Also: Bazett correction

Cockcroft-Gault formula Mathematical equation historically used to estimate creatinine clearance and adjust drug doses.

Also: by Cockcroft-Gault

Phospholamban Sarcoplasmic reticulum regulatory protein that controls the activity of the SERCA2a calcium pump according to its phosphorylation state.

Also: calcium reuptake regulator

Ejection fraction with mid-range Heart failure characterized by a left ventricular ejection fraction of borderline values between forty and forty-nine percent.

Also: HFmrEF · HF with moderately reduced LVEF

Preserved ejection fraction Heart failure syndrome with normal left ventricular contractile function but with demonstrable diastolic dysfunction.

Also: HFpEF · heart failure with preserved LVEF

Left ventricular ejection fraction Percentage of blood expelled from the left ventricle with respect to its end diastolic volume during each cycle.

Also: LV ejection

Reduced ejection fraction Clinical heart failure syndrome characterized by a severe decrease in the systolic emptying function of the left ventricle.

Also: HFrEF · heart failure with depressed LVEF

Coronary flow reserve fraction Fraction of the maximum coronary flow achievable in a stenosis that is maintained despite vessel limitation.

Also: FFR of coronary vessel

Paravalvular leak Defect or anomalous communication channel adjacent to the suture of a valve prosthesis that causes blood reflux.

Also: paravalvular · paravalvular leak

Myocardial perfusion scan Nuclear medicine study that evaluates the distribution of myocardial blood flow at rest and under stress using radiopharmaceuticals.

Also: Cardiac SPECT · myocardial scintigraphy · Myocardial perfusion SPECT · cardiac stress scan · coronary flow study by nuclear medicine

Indexed cardiac output Blood flow ejected by the heart in one minute, adjusted proportionally to the patient's body surface.

Also: cardiac index

Systolic cardiac output Volume of blood expelled from the left ventricle into the aorta in each individual heartbeat.

Also: stroke volume · beat volume

Pericardial coup Early dull noise heard in the rapid filling diastolic phase of patients suffering from advanced constrictive pericarditis.

Also: pericardial knock

Transvalvular gradient Net difference in hydrostatic pressure recorded between two cardiac chambers separated by a diseased valve.

Also: valve pressure gradient

Beam of His Fascicle of specialized muscle fibers that conduct the electrical impulse from the atrioventricular node to the ventricular branches.

Also: atrioventricular fascicle · AV beam

Aortic intramural hematoma Accumulation of blood in the tunica media of the aorta caused by rupture of the vasa vasorum in the absence of an intimal tear.

Also: HIA

Left anterior hemiblock Selective blockade of the anterior subdivision of the left ramus that extremely deviates the cardiac axis to the left.

Also: left anterior fascicular block · HAI

Left posterior hemiblock Delay in conduction of the posterior fascicle of the left branch that diverts the cardiac electrical axis to the right in the absence of ventricular hypertrophy.

Also: left posterior fascicular block · HPI

Neointimal hyperplasia Proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells towards the arterial intimal layer in response to mechanical injury of the stent.

Also: exaggerated vascular scarring

Resistant arterial hypertension Blood pressure that remains elevated above targets despite the simultaneous use of three drugs from different classes.

Also: Refractory HTN

Secondary arterial hypertension Sustained increase in blood pressure levels due to an identifiable underlying pathophysiological cause, such as renal artery stenosis.

Also: HTA of defined cause

White coat hypertension Transient elevation in blood pressure that occurs only in the doctor's office setting in patients with normal ambulatory readings.

Also: isolated clinical hypertension · Office HTA

Masked hypertension Clinical condition in which the patient has normal blood pressure levels at the doctor's office but high blood pressure levels in his or her normal life.

Also: isolated ambulatory hypertension · Masked HTA

Malignant hypertension Syndrome characterized by accelerated HTN accompanied by grade III or IV fundus changes and microangiopathic vascular damage.

Also: retinopathic accelerated hypertension

Concentric hypertrophy Growth of myocardial mass in response to pressure overload, characterized by the addition of sarcomeres in parallel and thickening.

Also: by pressure

Eccentric hypertrophy Adaptive myocardial growth in response to volume overload, characterized by the addition of sarcomeres in series and dilation.

Also: by volume

Orthostatic hypotension Marked and sustained decrease in blood pressure in the first three minutes after rising from the supine to standing position.

Also: postural hypotension

ECG Holter Portable system for continuous recording of electrocardiographic activity for a minimum period of twenty-four hours.

Also: ambulatory ECG monitor

Aortic inlet impedance Opposition offered by the root of the aorta and the arterial tree to the oscillatory flow ejected by the left ventricle.

Also: aortic

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation Minimally invasive interventional technique used to place an aortic prosthesis through an endovascular approach without open surgery.

Also: TAVI · TAVR

Chronotropic incompetence Inability of the sinus node to increase heart rate proportionally to the demands of physical exercise.

Also: chronotropic response

Cardiothoracic index Numeric relationship between the maximum transverse diameter of the cardiac silhouette and the internal thoracic diameter evaluated on chest x-ray.

Also: ICT

Left ventricular mass index Estimation of the total mass of the left ventricle calculated by echocardiography or resonance and normalized by the body surface area.

Also: LVMI

Oscillometric index Recording of arterial wall oscillations detected by a pressure cuff to evaluate peripheral arterial perfusion.

Also: oscillometric recording

Ankle-brachial index Quotient between systolic blood pressure measured in the tibial or pedis artery and that measured in the brachial artery, used to diagnose arteriopathy.

Also: ITB · Yao index

Radial artery graft Arterial vessel of the forearm used as a free graft for surgical myocardial revascularization.

Also: radial bridge

Saphenous vein graft Autologous venous vessel of the lower limb frequently used to make surgical aortocoronary bridges.

Also: saphenous bypass

Inotropism Inherent capacity of the myocardial muscle fiber to contract with a given force in response to a stimulus.

Also: myocardial contractility

Aortic insufficiency Defective closure of the aortic cusps that allows blood to return abnormally into the cavity of the left ventricle during diastole.

Also: aortic regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation Valvular dysfunction characterized by abnormal reflux of blood from the left ventricle towards the left atrium during systole.

Also: mitral regurgitation

Lung failure Incompetence of the closure of the pulmonary valve that conditions a passage of blood back to the right ventricle in diastole.

Also: pulmonary regurgitation

Tricuspid regurgitation Incompetent closure of the tricuspid valve that causes systolic reflux of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

Also: tricuspid regurgitation

Functional tricuspid insufficiency Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve secondary to dilation of the valve annulus due to pressure overload of the right chambers.

Also: secondary tricuspid

Chronic venous insufficiency Persistent clinical syndrome due to incompetent venous return secondary to damage to the wall of the veins or their valve system.

Also: IVC · venous insufficiency of the lower limbs

Deep venous insufficiency Disorder characterized by reflux or obstruction of the deep venous system that generates edema and cutaneous trophic changes.

Also: deep venous alteration

Ventricular interaction Direct and mutual dependence that the filling and function of a ventricle has on the properties of the contralateral ventricle.

Also: ventricular interdependence

Sodium-calcium exchanger Membrane transmembrane transporter that mobilizes sodium and calcium ions in a coupled manner to regulate ionic homeostasis.

Also: NCX · Na-Ca exchanger

PR Interval Span of time that elapses from the beginning of atrial activation to the beginning of depolarization of the ventricles.

Also: PR space · conduction time from atrium to ventricle

QT interval corrected QT interval measurement adjusted using mathematical formulas to compensate for changes associated with heart rate.

Also: QTc

Silent ischemia Transient decrease in myocardial blood flow objectively determined by electrocardiographic or imaging changes in the total absence of anginal symptoms.

Also: asymptomatic ischemia

Frank-Starling law Principle by which the contractile force of the myocardium is proportionally correlated with the initial length of the fiber at the end of diastole.

Also: law of the heart

Cardiac Laplace's Law Biophysical principle that relates ventricular wall tension directly to intracavitary pressure and radius, and inversely to thickness.

Also: Laplace wall stress

Marshall's ligament Fibrous vestige of the conduit of the left superior vena cava that runs between the left atrium and the pulmonary vein.

Also: Marshall fold

Lymphangiography Radiological imaging technique that allows visualization of the vessels and lymph nodes after the injection of a contrast medium.

Also: of the lymphatic system

Lymphangitis Inflammation of the subcutaneous lymphatic channels secondary to a distal skin bacterial infection, manifested by erythematous lines.

Also: inflammation of lymphatic pathways

Lymphedema Interstitial accumulation of protein-rich lymph due to a congenital or acquired defect in the drainage of an anatomical territory.

Also: edema of lymphatic origin

Pericardial fluid Ultrafiltrate of plasma contained under normal physiological conditions in the virtual space delimited between the visceral and parietal leaves of the pericardium.

Also: pericardial fluid

Intravascular lithotripsy Endovascular technique that uses acoustic shock waves to fragment calcium from deep atheromatous plaque before stent implantation.

Also: IVL · coronary lithotripsy

Livedo reticularis racemosa Persistent violaceous and branched vascular skin pattern associated with arteriolar thrombosis, typical of Sneddon syndrome.

Also: livedo racemosa

Lusitropism Ability of the cardiac muscle to actively relax during diastole, facilitating ventricular filling.

Also: active myocardial relaxation

Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping Non-fluoroscopic navigation computer system that generates virtual reconstructions of the heart by guiding ablation catheters.

Also: CARTO · EnSite

Cardiac pacemaker Implantable electronic device designed to emit regulated electrical impulses that stimulate the contraction of the heart muscle.

Also: artificial pulse generator

Wandering pacemaker Supraventricular rhythm caused by changing ectopic foci, manifested by morphological variations of the P wave and unequal PR intervals.

Also: wandering atrial pacemaker

Wireless pacemaker Miniature self-contained intracardiac device that is implanted directly into the right ventricle without the need for conduction wires.

Also: direct intracardiac

Transcutaneous pacemaker Emergency cardiac stimulation device that delivers electrical impulses through large electrodes placed on the chest.

Also: external emergency

Transvenous pacemaker Temporary cardiac stimulation system introduced through a venous access until contacting the endocardium of the right ventricle.

Also: endocavitary transient

Reentry mechanism Closed electrical circuit where an impulse travels continuously through pathways with different conduction and refractoriness properties.

Also: electrical reentry

Mitral supravalvular membrane Anomalous fibrous structure located in the left atrium immediately above the mitral annulus that hinders ventricular filling.

Also: supravalvular mitral annulus

Stunned myocardium State of postischemic myocardial contractile dysfunction that progressively and spontaneously recovers after successful restoration of blood flow.

Also: myocardial stunning

Hibernated myocardium Chronic state of persistent myocardial contractile dysfunction due to chronic hypoperfusion, reversible only by coronary revascularization.

Also: myocardial hibernation

Conducting cardiomyocyte Modified cardiac muscle cell specialized in the self-generation and rapid conduction of electrical impulses.

Also: modified Purkinje

Working cardiomyocyte Specialized cardiac muscle cell responsible for generating the mechanical contraction force of the ventricles and atria.

Also: contractile

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Contractile dysfunction and left ventricular dilation secondary to the direct toxic effect of chronic ethanol consumption.

Also: alcohol toxic cardiomyopathy

Chagas cardiomyopathy Chronic myocardial compromise caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, characterized by conduction disorders and apical aneurysms.

Also: chagasic heart disease

Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Subtype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in which thickening of the interventricular septum obstructs left ventricular outflow.

Also: MHO · dynamic subaortic stenosis

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy Reversible ventricular contractile dysfunction caused by the persistence of a prolonged elevated heart rate.

Also: tachycardiomyopathy

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy Congenital heart disease caused by an arrest of the normal process of endomyocardial compaction with prominent deep trabecular recesses.

Also: left ventricle not compacted · spongy myocardium

Peripartum cardiomyopathy Idiopathic form of heart failure with late onset during pregnancy or in the months following childbirth, with demonstrated left ventricular dysfunction.

Also: late gestational heart failure

Cardiomyopathy due to chemotherapy Myocardial damage and left ventricular dysfunction caused by the toxicity of antineoplastic agents such as anthracyclines.

Also: cardiotoxicity due to chemotherapy drugs

Iron overload cardiomyopathy Progressive myocardial dysfunction caused by iron deposition in myocytes in patients with hemochromatosis or transfusions.

Also: cardiac siderosis

Restrictive cardiomyopathy Infiltrative or fibrotic heart disease characterized by rigid ventricular walls that prevent adequate diastolic filling with preserved systolic function.

Also: myocardial restriction

Giant cell myocarditis Fulminant and rare variety of myocardial inflammation characterized histologically by infiltration of multinucleated giant cells.

Also: autoimmune fulminant myocarditis

Cardiac myosin Thick filament protein that hydrolyzes ATP to interact with actin and generate the mechanical force of contraction.

Also: thick myocardial filament

Atrial myxoma The most common benign primary cardiac neoplasm, located most frequently in the left atrium and attached by a pedicle to the interatrial septum.

Also: left atrial myxoma

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring Automated and periodic recording of blood pressure over a period of twenty-four hours in the patient's daily environment.

Also: ABPM · blood pressure holter

Anterolateral papillary muscle of the RV Supporting muscular structure in the cavity of the right ventricle that anchors the anterior and posterior chordae tendineae.

Also: anterior of the right ventricle

Septal papillary muscle of the RV Small muscular fascicles located in the interventricular septum that anchor the septal valve of the tricuspid.

Also: tricuspid septal

Atrioventricular node Structure of the conduction system that delays the electrical impulse before it passes to the ventricles.

Also: AV node · Aschoff-Tawara node

Sinus node Neuromuscular structure located in the posterosuperior portion of the right atrium that acts as the physiological pacemaker of the heart.

Also: Keith-Flack node · natural heart pacemaker

Aschoff's nodule Pathognomonic histological lesion of the active phase of rheumatic fever, consisting of perivascular granulomatous inflammatory foci.

Also: Aschoff's body

Lipid core Acellular and soft component of an atheromatous plaque made up of accumulated lipids, cholesterol crystals and necrotic cellular remains.

Also: necrotic core · lipid center

Reynolds number Dimensionless number used in hemodynamics to predict the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow.

Also: turbulence constant

Occlusion of left atrial appendage Interventional procedure of mechanical exclusion of the left atrial appendage to prevent embolisms in patients with contraindications for anticoagulants.

Also: left appendage closure

Amplatzer septal occluder Implantable device via catheter consisting of a self-expanding nitinol catheter used for percutaneous closure of interatrial communications.

Also: by Amplatzer

Pulmonary oligohemia Radiological sign of notable decrease in blood flow and vascular lung volume characteristic of severe obstructions at the outlet of the right ventricle.

Also: radiographic pulmonary hypoflow

Wave a of venous pressure Positive deflection of the jugular venous pulse produced by the contraction of the right atrium at the end of diastole.

Also: atrial contraction

C wave of venous pressure Small positive deflection in the jugular pulse caused by the protrusion of the tricuspid valve into the atrium during systole.

Also: tricuspid bulge

Delta wave Slow and stuck initial deflection in the QRS complex due to premature ventricular depolarization through an accessory pathway.

Also: QRS filling due to pre-excitation

P wave First positive deflection in the electrocardiogram that represents atrial depolarization.

Also: atrial depolarization in ECG

T wave Electrocardiogram wave that reflects the ventricular repolarization of the cardiomyocytes.

Also: ventricle repolarization

U wave Small amplitude deflection that appears after the T wave, usually linked to the repolarization of Purkinje fibers.

Also: late Purkinje wave

V wave of venous pressure Positive deflection in the jugular pulse produced by passive filling of the right atrium with the tricuspid valve closed.

Also: passive atrial filling

Damus-Kaye-Stansel operation Anastomosis of the pulmonary artery to the ascending aorta to create a single systemic outflow tract in complex anomalies.

Also: DKS

Konno Operation Complex surgical technique for enlarging the aortic valve and the left ventricular outflow tract using a patch.

Also: Konno-Rastan

Operation Mustard Palliative auricular procedure for transposition of great vessels using prosthetic deflectors to channel venous returns.

Also: Mustard headphone switch

Norwood Operation First phase of palliative surgical reconstruction in the hypoplastic left ventricle that creates a functioning neoaorta.

Also: by Norwood

Rastelli operation Reconstructive surgery that uses a valved conduit to connect the right ventricle with the pulmonary artery in congenital heart disease.

Also: Rastelli duct

Ross-Konno Operation Combination of Ross pulmonary autograft with surgical expansion of the left ventricular outflow tract of the Konno technique.

Also: Ross-Konno

Sano Operation Variant of Norwood surgery in which a conduit from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery is used for pulmonary flow.

Also: Sano VD-AP conduit

Senning operation Atrial palliative procedure for transposition of great vessels by redirecting blood flow using flaps from the atrium itself.

Also: Senning earphone switch

Anomalous origin of coronary artery Congenital malformation in which a coronary artery arises from an inappropriate sinus of Valsalva or the pulmonary artery.

Also: ectopic coronary origin

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Life support system that draws blood from the body to oxygenate it and remove carbon dioxide before pumping it back to the patient.

Also: ECMO

Prosthetic pannus Growth of fibrovascular scar tissue on the annulus or leaflets of a cardiac prosthesis that limits its mobility.

Also: periprosthetic

Ventricular parasystole Presence of a ventricular ectopic focus independent of general depolarization that competes with the dominant rhythm.

Also: parasystolic pacemaker

Sinus arrest Absence of electrical impulse generation in the sinus node that causes prolonged pauses in the electrocardiogram.

Also: sinus pause · sinus arrest

Atrial natriuretic peptide Polypeptide hormone released by the atrial myocardium upon increases in stretch or volumetric overload, inducing natriuresis and vasodilation.

Also: ANP · atrial natriuretic hormone

Reflex loss of consciousness Transient and self-limited loss of consciousness and postural tone due to global cerebral hypoperfusion of neurocardiogenic origin.

Also: reflex type syncope · vasovagal fainting

Pericardiectomy Major cardiac surgery intervention consisting of partial or total resection or decortication of thickened or calcified pericardial tissue.

Also: removal of the pericardium · pericardial decortication

Constrictive pericarditis Chronic inflammatory process that causes thickening, fibrosis and calcification of the pericardium, severely limiting the diastolic filling of the cardiac chambers.

Also: chronic pericardial constriction

Transient constrictive pericarditis Reversible form of pericardial constriction that resolves after anti-inflammatory therapy without requiring surgical resolution.

Also: reversible pericardial constriction

Purulent pericarditis Acute and severe bacterial infection of the pericardial space with accumulation of purulent exudate that can progress to tamponade.

Also: bacterial pericarditis

Uremic pericarditis Inflammation of the pericardial sac induced by the systemic accumulation of nitrogen metabolites in patients with severe uremia.

Also: uremic pericardial effusion

Absolute refractory period Lapse of the cardiac cell cycle during which a myocyte is completely insensitive to any additional electrical stimulation.

Also: PRA

Relative refractory period Phase of the myocardial cell cycle in which only a high intensity stimulus can trigger a new action potential.

Also: PRR

Vulnerable plate Atheromatous plaque prone to sudden rupture because it has a thin fibrous cover and a large-volume lipid necrotic core.

Also: unstable plate · high-risk atheroma

Impedance plethysmography Non-invasive method that measures variations in blood volume in extremities through changes in electrical resistance.

Also: venous plethysmography

Pulmonary plethora Hypervascular radiological image that reflects a significant increase in blood flow through the pulmonary vessels.

Also: pulmonary vascular hyperflow

Early post-depolarization Depolarizing fluctuation of the membrane potential of a myocyte that occurs before repolarization is complete.

Also: PDP

Late post-depolarization Abnormal transmembrane depolarizing oscillation that occurs once repolarization is complete, usually linked to cellular calcium overload.

Also: PDT

Cardiac action potential Variation of the transmembrane electrical potential in the myocyte during the depolarization and repolarization cycle.

Also: myocardial depolarization cycle

Resting membrane potential Difference in electrical charge across the cell membrane of a myocyte during its inactivity phase or phase four.

Also: cardiac resting potential

Late potentials Low amplitude electrical signals detected at the end of the QRS indicative of slowed conduction in scarred myocardial areas.

Also: late ventricular potentials

Mean arterial pressure Weighted average of blood pressure throughout the cardiac cycle that guarantees effective perfusion of the organs.

Also: PAM

Critical closing pressure Transmural pressure below which a blood vessel completely collapses and prevents the passage of flow.

Also: of vascular collapse

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure Occlusion pressure at the tip of a pulmonary arterial catheter that indirectly reflects the pressure of the left atrium.

Also: PCPP · pulmonary wedge pressure

Coronary perfusion pressure Pressure difference that drives blood flow through the myocardium, calculated as the aortic diastolic pressure minus the LV end diastolic pressure.

Also: PPC

Pulse pressure Arithmetic difference obtained between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values during a cardiac cycle.

Also: differential pressure

Venous hydrostatic pressure Force exerted by the column of venous blood that increases with standing and contributes to edema.

Also: distal venous hydrostatic pressure

End diastolic pressure Pressure recorded inside the ventricle at the end of the diastolic filling phase, considered an indirect indicator of preload.

Also: end diastole pressure

End-systolic pressure Force per unit area exerted by blood against the ventricular walls at the final moment of systole.

Also: end systole pressure

Vascular transmural pressure Net pressure difference between the interior of a blood vessel and the surrounding tissue or interstitial space.

Also: transmural gradient

Central venous pressure Hydrostatic blood pressure measured in the superior vena cava or right atrium that estimates venous return.

Also: PVC · pressure in right atrium

Bentall Procedure Technique that consists of the simultaneous replacement of the ascending portion and the aortic root along with the aortic valve using a valved prosthetic tube.

Also: Bentall-De Bono operation

Command Procedure Complex mitroaortic reconstruction using a patch with replacement of both valves in cases of advanced destructive endocarditis.

Also: of the mitroaortic junction

David's Procedure Surgery to preserve the native aortic valve with prosthetic replacement of the ascending aortic tube by reimplanting the valve within the prosthesis.

Also: aortic root with valve preservation

Bidirectional Glenn procedure Anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the pulmonary artery so that the flow is passively distributed to both lungs.

Also: two-way

Ross Procedure Intervention that replaces the diseased aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary autograft, in turn placing a homograft in the pulmonary position.

Also: Ross pulmonary autograft

Yacoub procedure Technique for remodeling the aortic root with the native valve through the anastomosis of an adapted Dacron tubular prosthesis.

Also: of Yacoub's aortic root

Gap junction protein Intercellular protein connection that allows the direct passage of ions and the rapid propagation of the electrical impulse between neighboring myocytes.

Also: connexin 43 · cardiac cleft junction

Biological valve prosthesis Valve replacement device made from purified animal tissues that does not require prolonged chronic anticoagulation but has a limited useful life.

Also: valvular bioprosthesis

Mechanical valve prosthesis Artificial heart valve made with non-biological materials such as pyrolytic carbon, highly durable but highly thrombogenic.

Also: mechanical valve

Adson test Clinical maneuver to evaluate compression of the subclavian artery in the thoracic outlet through changes in the radial pulse.

Also: Adson test

Allen test Clinical maneuver to assess the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries, ensuring adequate palmar collateral circulation.

Also: Allen test

Cardiopulmonary stress test Advanced ergometry with exhaled gas analysis that measures maximum oxygen consumption and metabolic efficiency during effort.

Also: ergospirometry

Tilt table test Diagnostic study used to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic reflexes in patients with suspected reflex syncope.

Also: tilt test · tilt test

Arterial pseudoaneurysm Pulsatile hematoma contained by the adjacent periarterial tissues after a rupture of the artery wall.

Also: false aneurysm

Myocardial bridge Anomaly in which a segment of an epicardial coronary artery passes through the interior of the myocardium, suffering systolic compression.

Also: coronary intramyocardial course

Bisferiens pulse Pulse characterized by two audible or palpable systolic peaks, characteristic of massive aortic insufficiency.

Also: bifid

Accelerated pulse Very rapid rising pulse and sudden collapse associated with hyperdynamic states or severe aortic insufficiency.

Also: in water hammer · by Corrigan

Dicrotic pulse Anomaly of the arterial pulse characterized by the presence of two pressures in the same cycle, one systolic and the other diastolic.

Also: double wave

Pulse parvus et tardus Arterial pulse of small amplitude and slow rise characteristic of long-standing aortic stenosis.

Also: of aortic stenosis

Point J Exact place of electrocardiographic junction that marks the end of the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST segment.

Also: union point of QRS with ST

Chylopericardium Abnormal accumulation of chyle inside the pericardial sac secondary to a fistula or obstruction of the thoracic duct.

Also: of chylous pericardial

Carotid chemoreceptor Specialized sensor cells of the carotid bifurcation sensitive to extreme variations in arterial oxygen tension, carbon dioxide and pH.

Also: carotid glomus

Cardiac rhabdomyoma The most common benign primary cardiac tumor in the pediatric population, closely associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Also: infantile myocardial hamartoma · myocardial rhabdomyoma · benign cardiac striated muscle tumor

Marginal branches of the circumflex artery Intermediate arterial vessels that supply the free lateral or posterior portion of the left ventricle.

Also: of the circumflex

Previous septal branches Arterial vessels that detach from the anterior descending artery to ensure irrigation of the interventricular conduction tissue.

Also: anterior septa

Posterior septal branches Small arterial vessels arising from the posterior descending artery that supply the posterior third of the interventricular septum.

Also: posterior septa

Late gadolinium enhancement Hyperintensity pattern on cardiac MRI that identifies areas of fibrosis, necrosis, or myocardial scar.

Also: late gadolinium enhancement

Beta-1 adrenergic receptor Membrane receptor that directly increases the frequency, contractility and speed of myocardial conduction after binding to catecholamines.

Also: cardiac beta-1 receptor

Beta-2 adrenergic receptor Metabotropic autonomic receptor that mediates bronchodilation and vasodilation in the coronary and skeletal vascular territory.

Also: beta-2 receptor

Cardiac ryanodine receptor Transmembrane calcium release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum that is activated by the entry of extracellular calcium.

Also: RyR2

In-stent restenosis Gradual narrowing of the lumen of the coronary artery inside the stent due to neointimal hyperplasia.

Also: stent restenosis

Venous reflux Retrograde flow of blood in the veins due to functional incompetence of the venous valves.

Also: venous valve incompetence

Event recorder Prolonged electrocardiographic monitoring device that the patient activates manually in the presence of arrhythmic symptoms.

Also: event holter

Headphone remodeling Structural, molecular and electrical reorganization of the atria induced by persistent rapid arrhythmias or chronic overloads.

Also: atrial remodeling

Arterial vascular remodeling Set of structural, adaptive or maladaptive changes that the arterial wall experiences in response to chronic hemodynamic or inflammatory stimuli.

Also: vascular remodeling

Ventricular remodeling Structural alteration, in the shape and parietal thickness that the chambers of the heart experience after myocardial damage or volume overload.

Also: cardiac remodeling

Myocardial repolarization Process of restoration of the resting membrane potential through the release of potassium ions after the contraction phase.

Also: electrical recovery phase

Coronary flow reserve Physiological capacity of the coronary arteries to maximize their blood flow in response to a powerful vasodilator stimulus.

Also: RFC

Fractional flow reserve Invasive hemodynamic parameter that determines the maximum pressure gradient in a coronary stenosis compared to the theoretical one in a healthy artery.

Also: FFR

Aspirin resistance Phenomenon characterized by the absence of thromboxane-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation after taking acetylsalicylic acid.

Also: resistance to acetylsalicylic acid

Clopidogrel resistance Deficient antiplatelet response to this drug due to genetic variants that limit its active hepatic biotransformation.

Also: hyporresponders to clopidogrel

Pulmonary vascular resistance Opposition exerted by the pulmonary vasculature to the blood flow ejected by the right ventricle.

Also: RVP · lung afterload

Systemic vascular resistance Measurement of the opposition offered by the arterial bed of the major circulation to the flow of blood expelled by the left ventricle.

Also: RVS · systemic afterload

Cardiac MRI Advanced non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to provide detailed tissue and anatomical characterization of the heart.

Also: RMC · cardio-MRI

Arterial stiffness Reduction in the distensibility and elastic cushioning capacity of large arteries due to aging or degenerative pathological processes.

Also: arterial vascular rigidity

Rhythm of escape from the union Rescue rhythm originating in the atrioventricular junction tissue in the absence of sinus impulses.

Also: nodal exhaust

Ventricular escape rate Slow rescue rhythm of ventricular origin that arises when higher physiological pacemakers fail.

Also: idioventricular escape rhythm

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm Rhythm of ventricular origin with a frequency between sixty and one hundred and ten beats per minute, common after coronary reperfusion.

Also: RIVA · benign idioventricular rhythm

Aortic rupture Catastrophic tear of all layers of the aorta wall with massive hemorrhage into neighboring cavities.

Also: aorta rupture

Free wall break Lethal post-infarction mechanical complication due to perforation of the necrotic myocardium with blood leakage into the pericardium and acute tamponade.

Also: ventricular free wall rupture

Cardiac sarcoidosis Systemic cardiac involvement of a non-caseating granulomatous inflammatory nature that can cause blockages, arrhythmias and heart failure.

Also: cardiac granulomatosis due to sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcomere Basic contractile structural and functional unit of the cardiac myocyte, delimited between two Z lines.

Also: myocardiocyte sarcomere

Calcium score Semiquantitative score obtained by non-contrast computed tomography that estimates the total burden of coronary atherosclerosis.

Also: Agatston's score · coronary calcium score

PR Segment Isoelectric line between the end of the P wave and the beginning of the QRS complex that reflects the delay of the AV node.

Also: nodal conduction interval

ST Segment Isoelectric segment between the end of the QRS complex and the beginning of the T wave that coincides with the plateau phase of the action potential.

Also: action potential plateau on ECG

Dilated coronary sinus Thickening of the main drainage vein of the heart secondary to hypertension in the right atrium or persistence of the left superior vena cava.

Also: coronary sinus

Sine of Valsalva Anatomical dilations at the base of the ascending aorta located immediately above each of the three semilunar valves.

Also: aortic sinus

Oblique sinus of the pericardium Posterior fornix of the pericardium located behind the left atrium and delimited by the pulmonary veins.

Also: by Haller

Transverse sinus of the pericardium Posterior pericardial duct that separates the arterial outflow tract from the atrial return veins.

Also: by Theile

Sinus x of venous pressure Negative deflection in the venous pulse that represents atrial relaxation and the descent of the base of the heart during systole.

Also: atrial systolic

Sinus and venous pressure Negative deflection in the venous pulse that represents the rapid emptying of the right atrium after tricuspid opening.

Also: diastolic of the atrium

Vasovagal syncope Self-limited episode of loss of consciousness of reflex origin mediated by profound hypotension, bradycardia, or both due to vagal hyperactivity.

Also: neurocardiogenic syncope

Blue Toe Syndrome Peripheral microembolization of cholesterol crystals or thrombi that causes acute digital ischemia and bluish fingers.

Also: blue finger syndrome

Bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome Variant of sick sinus syndrome characterized by alternating periods of extreme bradycardia and supraventricular tachycardias, especially atrial fibrillation.

Also: bradi-taqui

Brugada syndrome Hereditary channelopathy characterized by elevation of the ST segment in the right precordial leads and predisposition to lethal ventricular arrhythmias.

Also: Brugada · SCN5A sodium channel channelopathy

Iliac vein compression syndrome Extrinsic obstruction of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery against the vertebral column.

Also: May-Thurner syndrome

Dressler syndrome Reactive pleuropericarditis of immunological etiology that occurs weeks to months after acute myocardial damage or cardiac surgery.

Also: late post-infarction syndrome

Eisenmenger syndrome Reversal of a left-right to right-left shunt due to the development of severe, fixed pulmonary hypertension.

Also: by Eisenmenger

Leriche syndrome Chronic occlusive arterial disease of the aortoiliac bifurcation characterized by bilateral claudication of the lower extremities, impotence and absence of femoral pulses.

Also: aortoiliac occlusion · Leriche syndrome

Pre-excitation syndrome Early activation of the ventricular myocardium by an impulse that avoids the AV node by traveling through an anomalous accessory pathway.

Also: ventricular preexcitation

Congenital long QT syndrome Channelopathy characterized by prolonged ventricular repolarization and high susceptibility to syncope due to torsade de pointes.

Also: Congenital LQTS

Sneddon syndrome Disease characterized by the association of generalized livedo reticularis and repeated ischemic strokes.

Also: Sneddon's vasculopathy

Takotsubo syndrome Transient apical contractile dysfunction of the left ventricle usually triggered by extreme physical or emotional stress, simulating an acute myocardial infarction.

Also: stress cardiomyopathy · transient apical dyschesia syndrome

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome Autonomic system disorder that causes an exaggerated increase in heart rate without arterial hypotension after adopting standing position.

Also: STOP · POTS

Hypoplastic left ventricle syndrome Severe congenital heart disease with insufficient development of the left structures of the heart, including the mitral valve, aorta and left ventricle.

Also: hypoplasia of left cavities · SHIV

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Classic pre-excitation syndrome due to an accessory atrioventricular connection that predisposes to recurrent supraventricular tachycardias.

Also: WPW · Wolff pre-excitation

Nutcracker syndrome Compression of the left renal vein between the aorta artery and the superior mesenteric artery, causing renal congestion and hematuria.

Also: nutcracker syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome Neurovascular compression of the brachial plexus or the subclavian vessels as they pass through the supraclavicular space.

Also: compression of the thoracic outlet

Post-thrombotic syndrome Chronic complication of deep vein thrombosis characterized by persistent pain, edema, hyperpigmentation and malleolar ulcers.

Also: post-thrombotic venous insufficiency

Cardiac syndrome Pathological condition of exertional chest pain with normal epicardial coronary arteries, attributed to microcirculation dysfunction.

Also: coronary microvascular disease

Supraclavicular murmur Audible vascular auscultatory noise over the supraclavicular fossa indicative of turbulence in the subclavian or carotid artery.

Also: arterial cervical murmur

Coronary stent Self-expandable or balloon-expandable tubular metal mesh that acts as a permanent scaffold to keep the lumen of a coronary artery open.

Also: coronary vascular endoprosthesis

Bare metal stent Conventional metallic alloy coronary endoprosthesis without antiproliferative pharmacological coating.

Also: conventional stent · BMS

Drug-eluting stent Vascular stent coated with a polymer that slowly releases antiproliferative agents to reduce restenosis.

Also: medicated stent · DES

Global longitudinal strain Echocardiographic parameter of myocardial deformation that evaluates the longitudinal contractile function of the left ventricle early.

Also: SGL

Low pressure pericardial tamponade Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac that restricts the filling of the heart in the presence of systemic hypovolemia, resulting in low pressures.

Also: hidden plugging

Andromic tachycardia Reentry tachycardia in which the stimulus descends through the accessory pathway and returns to the atria through the atrioventricular node.

Also: Andromic SVT

Focal atrial tachycardia Tachycardia originating from a single atrial ectopic site located outside the sinus node, with P waves identical to each other but with an abnormal axis.

Also: ectopic atrial tachycardia

Orthodromic tachycardia Supraventricular reentry tachycardia where the impulse descends through the normal system and ascends through the accessory pathway back to the atrium.

Also: Orthodromic SVT

Atypical AV node reentry tachycardia Arrhythmia that uses the fast pathway anterogradely and the slow pathway retrogradely, or multiple of these pathways.

Also: TRNAV not common

Typical AV node reentry tachycardia Arrhythmia mediated by a reentry circuit in the AV node that uses the slow pathway anterogradely and the fast pathway retrogradely.

Also: TRNAV common · slow-fast intranodal reentry

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia Rapid ventricular arrhythmia in which all QRS complexes exhibit an identical morphology because they originate from the same focus.

Also: Monomorphic TV

Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia Rescue of three or more beats of ventricular origin at a high frequency that self-limits in less than thirty seconds.

Also: TVNS

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia Rapid ventricular rhythm showing continuous variation in QRS axis and morphology due to a multifocal or erratic origin.

Also: Polymorphic TV

Sustained ventricular tachycardia Rapid and unstable ventricular rhythm that persists for more than thirty seconds or causes immediate hemodynamic compromise.

Also: Sustained VT · TVS

Myocardial deformation rate Speed at which the change in the length of cardiac muscle fibers occurs over time.

Also: strain rate

Jatene Technique Corrective surgery of choice for transposition of great vessels consisting of sectioning and transposing the aorta and pulmonary artery, reimplanting the coronary arteries.

Also: arterial switch · Jatene operation

Jatene's arterial switch technique Anatomical reconstruction that transposes the great arteries and reimplants the coronary arteries in the neoaorta in newborns.

Also: anatomical arterial switch

Nikaidoh Technique Surgical procedure for aortic translocation with reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract for complex heart diseases.

Also: by Nikaidoh

Cardiac resynchronization therapy Implantation of a biventricular stimulation system to correct conduction delay and improve contraction synchrony in heart failure.

Also: TRC · biventricular pacemaker

Tetralogy of Fallot Cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, aortic overhang, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Also: Fallot malformation · cardiac tetralogy

Cardiac optical coherence tomography Invasive intracoronary diagnosis method using infrared light that generates three-dimensional images of microscopic resolution of the vascular wall.

Also: Coronary OCT

Cardiac positron emission tomography Highly sensitive molecular imaging method used to quantify absolute myocardial perfusion and evaluate tissue viability.

Also: Cardiac PET

Vagal tonus Tonic and inhibitory influence exerted continuously by the vagus nerve and acetylcholine on the intrinsic heart rate.

Also: cardiac parasympathetic tone

Arrhythmic storm High severity clinical situation defined by the appearance of three or more episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia in twenty-four hours.

Also: cardiac electrical storm

Left ventricular ejection work Total mechanical energy consumed by the left ventricle to eject the stroke volume into the systemic circulation.

Also: LV systolic

Transposition of great arteries Congenital heart disease with ventriculoarterial discordance, where the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left.

Also: TGA · transposition of great vessels

Einthoven's triangle Imaginary representation of an equilateral triangle formed by the electrodes placed on the limbs for recording the ECG.

Also: Einthoven's triaxial scheme

Interatrial fibrous trigone Collagen framework component located at the base of the interatrial septum that provides structural stability.

Also: interatrial support

Stent thrombosis Coronary complication characterized by thrombotic occlusion of the previously implanted vascular stent.

Also: acute stent occlusion

Common trunk arteriosus Heart disease in which a single large arterial vessel arises from the base of the heart and gives rise to the coronary, systemic and pulmonary arteries.

Also: truncus arteriosus · single arterial trunk

Troponin C Thin filament protein that binds free cytosolic calcium to initiate the conformational change that exposes actin sites.

Also: calcium binding subunit

Troponin I Troponin subunit that inhibits the interaction between actin and myosin filaments in the absence of calcium.

Also: actin inhibitory subunit

Troponin T Subunit of the troponin complex responsible for anchoring said complex to the tropomyosin molecule on the thin filament.

Also: tropomyosin binding subunit

Penetrating aortic ulcer Deep ulcerated atherosclerotic lesion that erodes the internal elastic lamina, penetrating the tunica media of the aorta.

Also: PAU

Intravascular ultrasound Intracoronary catheter-based invasive imaging method with acoustic transducer that provides detailed cross-sections of the arterial wall.

Also: IVUS · transcatheter coronary ultrasound

Anaerobic threshold Point during exercise of increasing intensity in which anaerobic metabolism complements aerobic metabolism due to oxygen deficit.

Also: ventilator · VT1

Hypertensive emergency Severe elevation in blood pressure without signs of dysfunction or imminent acute injury in target organs.

Also: hypertensive crisis without organ damage

Bicuspid aortic valve Common congenital heart disease characterized by the presence of only two functional leaflets in the aortic valve instead of three.

Also: bicuspid

Edwards SAPIEN valve Balloon-expandable aortic prosthesis model widely used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Also: Edwards SAPIEN

Medtronic CoreValve Self-expanding nitinol aortic prosthesis used for transcatheter valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Also: CoreValve

Balloon valvuloplasty Percutaneous procedure that consists of mechanically dilating a stenosed heart valve by inflating a balloon catheter.

Also: balloon valve dilation

Flow-mediated vasodilation Ability of an artery to dilate due to increased blood flow and shear, dependent on nitric oxide.

Also: FMD

Vectocardiography Three-dimensional graphic representation of the magnitude and direction of the electrical forces of the heart throughout the cardiac cycle.

Also: VCG

Shear speed Velocity gradient of blood flow adjacent to the vascular wall that regulates endothelial shear stress.

Also: shear rate

Pulse wave speed Clinical parameter that measures the speed of propagation of the pressure wave along the arterial tree, used to quantify stiffness.

Also: VOP

Minor cardiac vein Venous vessel that runs through the right coronary sulcus and drains blood from the right atrium and ventricle to the coronary sinus.

Also: right coronary return

Vein of Galen Small anterior cardiac vein that drains directly into the cavity of the right atrium.

Also: previous by Galen

Marshall Vein Small venous structure of the left atrium that represents an embryological vestige of the left superior vena cava.

Also: oblique vein of the left atrium

Thebesian Vein Tiny vascular canalicles that drain blood directly from the myocardium to the cardiac chambers, mainly to the right atrium.

Also: minimal cardiac veins

Pericardial window Creation of a surgical or percutaneous opening in the pericardial wall to drain accumulated fluid into the pleural or peritoneal cavity in a controlled manner.

Also: surgical pleuropericardial drainage

Double outlet right ventricle Rare congenital heart disease characterized by the birth of both great vessels completely or predominantly from the right ventricle.

Also: VDDS

Accessory route Anomalous and direct muscular connection between atria and ventricles that bypasses the conduction delay of the atrioventricular node.

Also: Kent beam · accessory muscular bridge

End-diastolic volume Total volume of blood that stays inside the ventricle at the end of the diastolic filling phase.

Also: end-diastole volume · VTD

End systolic volume Amount of blood remaining inside a ventricle immediately after completing the ejection phase.

Also: end-systole volume · VTS

Cardiology

Other glossary specialties