• Heart Center at San Antonio Regional Hospital

  • Glossary



    ablation - elimination or removal. A therapeutic method that physically destroys the heart tissue that causes or contributes to some types of fast heartbeats (tachycardia).

    ACE inhibitor - a medication that lowers blood pressure. ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme.

    anesthesiologist - a physician specializing in the practice of anesthesiology and the use of anesthetic medicines. These medications result in a loss of sensation, memory, pain and consciousness and are used in all surgical cases.

    aneurysm - a sac-like protrusion from a blood vessel.



    angioplasty - a non-surgical, invasive catheterization procedure where a narrowed portion of a blood vessel, e.g., coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery stenosis, is enlarged by inflating a balloon that straddles the narrowed segment. Severe coarctation of the aorta or pulmonary artery narrowings resemble an hourglass. The balloon dilation intentionally tears part of the wall of the blood vessel.

    anticoagulant - a medication that keeps blood from clotting.

    antihypertensive - a medication or other therapy that lowers blood pressure.



    arrhythmia - an abnormal heartbeat.

    arterioles - small branches of arteries.

    arteriosclerosis - commonly called hardening of the arteries. A variety of conditions caused by fatty or calcium deposits in the artery walls causing them to thicken.









    balloon angioplasty - An invasive catheterization procedure where a narrowed portion of a blood vessel (e.g., coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery stenosis) is enlarged by inflating a balloon that straddles the narrowed segment. Severe coarctation of the aorta or pulmonary artery narrowings resemble an hourglass. The balloon dilation intentionally tears part of the wall of the blood vessel.

    beta blocker - an anti-hypertensive medication that limits the activity of epinephrine (a hormone that increases blood pressure).


    blood clot - a gelled mass of blood tissue.


    blood pressure cuff - a device usually placed around the upper part of the arm to measure blood pressure.


    brady - suffix meaning slow.

    bradycardia - abnormally slow heartbeat.




    calcium channel blocker - a medication that lowers blood pressure.


    cardiac - pertaining to the heart.

    cardiac arrest - the stopping of heartbeat.

    cardiac arrhythmia surgery - the MAZE procedure is a surgical procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib), an abnormality of the electrical system of the heart. The procedure is performed by cardiothoracic surgeons who make incisions in both atria, disrupting the elctrical impulses that cause an abnormal heart rhythm. Some patients with AFib are able to tolerate the arrhythmia or can control it with medication and the procedure is not necessary. However, in some patients, a surgical option is very appropriate. 

    cardiac catheterization - a diagnostic, invasive procedure in which a tiny, hollow tube (catheter) is advanced from a blood vessel in the groin through the aorta into the heart chambers using X-Ray guidance in order to image the heart and blood vessels. In addition, X-ray pictures (angiograms) of the heart and blood vessels are made by injecting a dye into the bloodstream.


    cardiology - the clinical study and practice of treating the heart.






    cerebral hemorrhage - bleeding within the brain.


    cerebrovascular - pertaining to blood vessels in the brain.







    computed tomography (CT) scan - a CT scan ("cat scan") is an x-ray technique that uses a computer to create cross-sectional (or slice-like) pictures of the heart. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.

    congenital - present at birth.

    congestive heart failure (CHF) - a condition in which the heart cannot pump out all of the blood that enters it, which leads to an accumulation of blood in the vessels and fluid in the body tissues. Congestive heart failure can be due to poor heart muscle function, abnormal communications or holes within the heart, or other abnormal burdens of the heart such as obstructed valves, leaky (regurgitant) valves, poorly controlled rhythm disturbances or shunts.

    A combination of clinical signs and symptoms; in infants manifested as poor feeding, rapid breathing, sweatiness, rapid heart rate and failure to gain weight; in adults, manifested as fluid retention, shortness of breath, being easily fatigued and exercise intolerance.

    continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) - is any extracorporeal blood purification therapy designed to substitute for impaired renal function over an extended period, and intended to be applied for up to 24 hours a day. 




    coronary heart disease (CAD) - a condition in which the coronary arteries narrow from an accumulation of plaque (atherosclerosis) and cause a decrease in blood flow.



    cyanosis - insufficient oxygen in the blood.



    defibrillator - A battery-driven, mechanical device used to treat life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities and establish normal heartbeat. The battery and electrical circuits ("generator") are implanted in the body, usually under the clavicle. Wires leading from the generator are placed on the heart muscle to deliver the electrical current needed to treat the abnormal rhythm.



    doppler ultrasound - A procedure that uses sound waves to evaluate the heart, blood vessels, and valves.

    dyspnea - shortness of breath.

    dysrhythmia - an abnormal heart rhythm.



    echocardiography - a procedure that evaluates the structure and function of the heart by using sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor that produce a moving picture of the heart and heart valves. Complete studies may take over an hour to image all of the important structures; limited examinations may only require a few minutes. In small infants and toddlers, sedation may be necessary to obtain reliable information. "Doppler" techniques are often also used to look for obstructions in the heart or leakiness ("regurgitation") of any of the heart valves.

    3D Echocardiogram - is a painless, safe and highly effective way to produce images of a beating heart using the same sound wave technology obstetricians use when they view an unborn baby in the womb. This state-of-the-art imaging procedure allows the physician to see clear, color images in real-time. The 3D echocardiogram is used when there is a critical, or difficult diagnosis. 

    edema - swelling.


    electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage. The test uses measurements of the heart's electrical activity by placing electrodes on the arms, legs and chest. This test helps identify abnormally enlarged heart chambers or abnormalities of the heart's electrical system (arrhythmias).

    electrophysiological study (EPS) - a cardiac catheterization to study the heart's electrical current in patients who have arrhythmias.

    endarterectomy - the surgical removal of plaque or blood clots in an artery. endocardium - the membrane that covers the inside surface of the heart.

    endocarditis - a bacterial infection of the heart lining.


    epicardium - the membrane that covers the outside of the heart.

    estrogen - a hormone produced by the ovaries.


    extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - usually used as an emergency to support for improving circulation for a short period either for recovery or longer. It supports both ventricles of the heart at the same time and also has an oxygenator attached to it which gives support to the lings as well.


    fibrillation – rapid contractions of the heart muscles.

    flutter - ineffective contractions of the heart muscles.







    heart block - interrupted electrical impulse to heart muscles.





    holter monitor - an EKG recording done over a period of 24 or more hours.

    hypertension - high blood pressure.


    hypoglycemia - low levels of blood sugar.






    impella - the world's smallest left ventricular assist device (LVAD). It is used to support a failing heart before or after emergency revascularization. 



    intravascular echocardiography - echocardiography used in cardiac catheterization.








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    lesion - an injury or wound.

    lipid - a fatty substance in the blood.

    lipoproteins - transporters of fatty substances in the blood.

    low density lipoprotein (LDL) - the body's primary cholesterol-carrying molecule. High blood levels of LDL increase a person's risk of heart disease by promoting cholesterol attachment and accumulation in blood vessels.

    lumen - the hollow area within a tube.



    magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. MRI technology uses the body's magnetic field and high-tech computers to "reconstruct" images of the heart, blood vessels, lungs and trachea. MRI can be used in virtually all patients, unless metal structures (e.g., a pacemaker) are in the chest.

    maze procedure - a surgical procedure to control atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter. A number of incisions are made in the atria to block the path of the arrhythmia.






    myocardial ischemia - insufficient blood flow to part of the heart.

    myocardium - the muscle wall of the heart.



    necrosis - pertaining to the death of tissue.

    nitroglycerin - a medication used to relax or dilate arteries.


    nuclear stress test - this test is almost the same as the exercise stress test, except doctors will give you a small amount of a radioactive substance just before the end of the exercise part of the test. This radioactive substance is not harmful to your body or your organs. The test can give information about the size of the heart's chambers, how well the heart is pumping blood, and whether the heart has any damaged or dead muscle.





    open-heart surgery - surgery that involves opening the chest and heart while a heart-lung machine performs for the heart. Also called Coronary Bypass Grafting (CABG)




    pacemaker, mechanical - a battery-driven, mechanical device used to treat heart rhythms that are too slow, too fast or irregular. The battery and electrical circuits ("generator") are implanted in the body, usually under the clavicle. Wires leading from the generator are placed on the heart muscle to deliver the small amount of electrical current needed to treat the abnormal rhythm and regulate heartbeat.

    palpitations - the sensation of the heart beating rapidly or irregularly.

    percutaneous mechanical circulatory support - offering new hope, more time and quality of life to end-stage heart failure patients, a percutaneous mechanical ciculatory support device is powered by a source that remains outside of the body and is implanted by a specially trained physician. The device's job is to  take over all or some of the heart's work when it is too weak to pump properly.

    percutaneous transluminal angioplasty - angioplasty.

    percutaneous ventricular assist device - is a temporary piece of equipment that is used to aid the heart in pumping blood when a patient's heart muscle is too weak to pump adequate blood to the body. The ventricles of the heart need temporary support. The device is a catheter with a tiny pump inside and is so small that it can be inserted into the patient's heart through a small catheter placed through an artery in the leg. This is usually done in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. 

    perfusionist - a specially trained individual who manages the cardiopulmonary bypass heart/lung machine.


    pericarditis - inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart.

    pericardium - the membrane that surrounds the heart.

    phlebotomy - removal of blood from the vein.


    platelets - cells found in the blood.



    pulmonary - pertains to lungs and respiratory system.







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    renal - pertains to kidneys.






    septal defect - a hole in the wall of the heart.

    septum - the muscle wall that divides the heart chambers.


    shunt - a connector to allow blood flow between two locations.

    silent ischemia - ischemia not accompanied by chest pain.


    sphygmomanometer - an instrument used to measure blood pressure.

    stent - cylindrical metal device that is placed on a balloon catheter, and used to enlarge narrowed areas of blood vessels or the airway. When expanded, stents have the appearance of a "chicken wire" cylinder, and resist collapsing. When non-expanded, the stents are long and thin. Stents can be used in blood vessels (coronary arteries, pulmonary arteries or veins, major systemic veins, or the aorta).


    sternum - the breastbone.


    streptokinase - a clot-dissolving medication.


    stress test - a patient uses a treadmill while heart rate, blood pressure and EKG are monitored to determine how the heart functions during exercise to diagnose coronary artery disease, possible causes of symptoms, heart-related conditions and safe levels of exercise.

    stroke - the sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain.

    subarachnoid hemorrhage - bleeding on the surface of the brain.



    supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) - very rapid beating of the heart's upper chambers (atria).





    tachycardia - rapid heart beat.

    tachypnea - rapid breathing.



    therapeutic hypothermia - including mild therapeutic hypothermia in selected patients surviving out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest can significantly improve rates of long-term neurologically intact survival and may prove to be one of the most important advancements in the science of resuscitation. The goals of treatment include achieving the target temperature as quickly as possible; in most cases, this can be reached within 3-4 hours of initiation cooling. Rewarming is begun 24 hours after the time of initiation of cooling. At San Antonio we have the latest available internal cooling methods using catheter-based technologies and are able to provide rapid and ffective cooling which increases the benefit to the patient.

    thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) - is a minimally invasive alternative to major open surgery for the repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. TEVAR can result in reduced recovery time and potentially improved survival rates. In the major surgical method, the thoracic aneurysm is replaced with a synthetic graft by creating a large incision. The the less invasive TEVAR procedure, a thoracic stent graft is inserted into the aneurysm through small incisions in the groin. 

    thoracoscopic surgery - similar to arthroscopic surgery for joint surgery or laparoscopic surgery in the abdomen, thoracoscopic surgery is performed by using small incisions and video cameras to do procedures typically done through larger, open incisions.

    thrombolysis - the breaking up of a blood clot.





    transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) - an ultrasound technique in which the ultrasound probe (about as large as a pinky finger) is placed in the esophagus to "look" at the heart from behind using sound waves that "bounce" off the heart. Transesophageal echocardiography is much more sensitive than transthoracic (across the chest) echocardiography, as overlying structures (bone and lungs) do not obscure the view. This technique requires sedation in almost all cases.


    transplantation - replacing a damaged organ with one from a donor.


    triglyceride - a fat-like substance found in the blood.








    varicose vein - an abnormally dilated vein.

    vascular - pertaining to blood vessels.


    vasodepressors - a medication that raises blood pressure.


    ventricle - one of the two lower chambers of the heart.



    vertigo - dizziness.



    Wolff-Parkinson -







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