Cardiology Words and Phrases for Quick Reference
By Health Professions Institute
AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
AAI rate-responsive mode
abdominal aortic aneurysm
active bowel sounds
active fixation leads
Actos
adenopathy
adverse effects
Aerodyne bicycle
agonal respirations
A-H (atrio-His) interval
AI (aortic insufficiency)
AICD (automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator)
air break mask
AK (above-knee) popliteal graft
akinesis
albumin solution
Aldactone
alk phos (slang for alkaline phosphatase)
allopurinol
Alphagan
altered consciousness
amaurosis fugax
ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
amenable
amiodarone
amplitude
Ancef
anchoring stitch
anchoring sutures
aneurysm resection
aneurysmal dilatation
angina pectoris
Angiocath
2
angiodysplastic
angioplasty sheath with sidearm
anicteric
ankle edema
anorexia nervosa
anoxic encephalopathy
anteromedial accessory pathway
antianginals
antiarrhythmics
anticoagulant therapy
anulus
aortic anulus
aortic-bifemoral graft
aortic cross-clamp
aortic orifice
aortic root
aortic stenosis
aortic valve gradient
aortic valve leaflets
aortic valve replacement
aortic valvotomy
aortogram with runoff
aortoiliac occlusive disease
aortoiliac stenosis
aortoiliac thromboembolectomy
aortotomy
aortoventriculoplasty
apical aneurysm
apical impulse
apical murmur
arcus senilis
ARDS (acute or adult respiratory distress syndrome)
arrhythmia
arteriography
arteriosclerosis obliterans
arteriotomy
2
3
arteriovenous anastomosis
arteriovenous fistula
arthralgia
arthritis
AS (aortic stenosis)
ASHD (arteriosclerotic heart disease)
ATA (atmosphere absolute)
atherosclerotic coronary artery disease
atraumatic
atrial appendage
atrial biventricular pacing
atrial extrastimulation
atrial fibrillation
atrial flutter
atrial overdrive pacing
atrial pacing
atrial pacing wire
atropine
A2 greater than P2
audible rub
auricular rate
auscultation
AVA (arteriovenous anastomosis)
AV (arteriovenous) fistula
AV (atrioventricular) nodal disease
AV (atrioventricular) valve
Babinski reflex (Babinskis)
Bactrim
balloon angioplasty
banked blood
Bard arterial cannula
Bardic catheter
basal akinesis
baseline standing pulse rate
basilar rales
Bentall inclusion technique
3
4
Betadine ointment
bibasilar rales
bicaval cannulation
bicuspid aortic valve
bifurcates
bifurcating, bifurcation
biventricular hypertrophy
biventricular (bi-V) pace
BK (below-knee) popliteal graft
BK popliteal to plantar in situ bypass
bladder irrigation
blockage of vessel
blood backflow
blood-loss anemia
Borg scale
brachial axillary AV graft
brachiocephalic vein
bradyarrhythmia
breasts free of masses
breasts symmetrical
bronchoscopy
bruit
bundle branch block
CAD (coronary artery disease)
Calan
calcium-containing antacids
calf pain
cannula (pl. cannulae or cannulas)
CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis)
Capoten
captopril
Carafate
cardiac arrest
cardiac catheterization arteriography
cardiac index
cardiac ischemia
4
5
cardiac output
cardiac transplant
cardiomegaly
cardiotonic regimen
cardiovascular risk factors
cardioversion
cardioverted
Cardizem
carotid endarterectomy
carotid ultrasound
Carpentier-Edwards porcine valve
catheterization
CBC (complete blood count)
Cellcept
cephalic vein
cerebral atrophy
cerebrovascular accident
check-valve sheath
chest wall contusion
cicatrix
Cimino fistula
cineradiograpic views
circular Dacron patch
claudication
click
clonidine
C-loop fashion
clubbing, cyanosis, or edema
Cogentin
Colace
cold cardioplegia solution
cold potassium cardioplegic solution
cold saline
collection chamber
commissures
commissurotomy
5
6
compensated edentulism
compensated hypothyroidism
competent mitral valve
complex ventricular ectopy
composite valve graft replacement
concentric left ventricular hypertrophy
concrete questions
congestive heart failure
conjunctivae pink
connective tissue disorder
continuous pericardial lavage
contractility
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Cordarone
Cordis sheath
Corgard
corrected transposition
Coumadin
counterincision
coupling interval
coved ST segments
CPK enzymes, isoenzymes
crackles
crescendo
cross-clamp time
cryopreserved homograft
cryopreserved human allograft conduit
curvilinear aortotomy
cusps
cyanosis, clubbing, or edema
cystic changes
Dacron Sauvage patch
Darvon
DC countershocked
DDD mode
de-aired graft
6
7
de-airing hole in the ascending aorta
de-airing maneuvers
decannulation
decrements
degenerative osteoarthritis
dehydration
delta wave
Demerol
Dermabond
dermatomyositis/polymyositis
Dexon
diabetes mellitus
Diabinese
diagonal branch
dialysate
diaphoresis
diastolic murmur
digoxin level
diltiazem
diminished sensorium
diphasic
dipyridamole
disorientation
diuresis
dobutamine
dopamine
Doppler bruit outflow
Doppler ultrasound study
dorsalis pedis pulse
double-looping
DTRs (deep tendon reflexes)
dual-chamber DDD transvenous pacemaker
Dyazide
dysplastic valve
dyspneic
dysuria
7
8
ecchymosis (pl. ecchymoses)
echo Doppler study
echocardiogram
Ecotrin
edentulous
ejection fraction
Elavil
electrical overdrive cardioversion
electrocardiogram
electrolytes
elevated CPK
EOMI (extraocular movements intact)
epigastric tenderness
epilepsy
epinephrine
ergometric studies
erythromycin
Esmarch bandage
esophageal spasm
essential hypertension
ET (endotracheal tube)
Ethibond
everted nipples
exacerbation
exercise-induced ischemia
exertional chest pain
exit site
exogenous obesity
extracardiac conduit
extrapyramidal side effects
exudate
facial asymmetry
fatigue
fatty infiltration
felt bolster
femoral-femoral grafting
8
9
femoral-popliteal Gore-Tex bypass graft
ferrous sulfate
fibrillation
fibrin glue
Fick method
finger-nose-finger
first diagonal branch
fistulogram
fistulous tract
5/5+ motor
flat line
flattened ST segments
flattening of ST segments
flexible steerable wire
flipped T waves
floppy guidewire
flow-limiting
flutter waves
focal neurologic deficits
Fogarty catheter
French dilator
French sheath
friable walls
full carotids
full-mouth dentures
funduscopic exam
gastrointestinal angiodysplasia
genitorectal (genital-rectal)
gentamicin
Glidewire
Glucotrol
Gore-Tex graft
Gore-Tex patch
graft cut on the bevel
graft-dependent
graft occlusive disease
9
10
gram-negative-rod urinary tract infection
Guidant defibrillator
Haemonetics Cell Saver System
Hagar probe
Halcion
Haldol
heart block
heave
hematemesis
hematochezia
hematuria
hemispheric neurologic event
hemithymectomy
hemodynamic monitoring
hemodynamically stable
hemoptysis
hemorrhage
hemostat
heparinized saline
heparin lock introducer
hepatomegaly
heroic treatment
Hidalgo catheter
high-grade lesion
high-grade stenosis
hilar adenopathy
Holter monitor
Homans sign
homograft
Huber needle
Humulin insulin
H-V (His-ventricular) interval
hydrochlorothiazide
Hypaque 76
hypercalcemia
hyperglycemia
10
11
hyperkalemic
hyperkalemic crystalloid cardioplegic solution
hyperlipidemia
hyperparathyroidism
hyperresonant
hypertension
hypertensive arteriolar nephrosclerosis
hypertonic dialysate
hypervitaminosis B
hypocontractility
hypokinesis of anterior wall
hyponatremia
hypothyroidism
hysterectomy
I 131 therapy
iatrogenic hyperthyroidism
iced saline
idiopathic
idioventricular rhythm
IJ (internal jugular) dialysis access catheter
implantable venous infusion port
Indocin SR
indwelling catheter
infarct
infected aortic graft
inferior hypokinesis
inferolateral
inferoposterior hypokinesis
infiltrate
infraclavicular artery
infraclavicular incision
infranodal block
insulin-dependent diabetes
intermittent myocardial ischemia
interrupted wire suture
interstitial markings
11
12
interventricular septum
intra-arterially, intraarterially
intractable
intradermally
intravenous anticoagulation with heparin
introducer-dilator
ipsilateral
irregular heartbeat
irregularly irregular rate
ischemic cardiomyopathy
isoproterenol infusion
Isordil
isosorbide
IV of D5W TKO
J (joule)
JL4 (Judkins left) catheter
J-point depression
JR4 (Judkins right) catheter
J-tipped vascular wire
jugular neck veins
jugular venous distention
jugular venous pulse
junctional rhythm
K-Dur
keep-open IV
kissing balloon technique
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Kondremul
LAD (left anterior descending) artery
Lanoxin
LAO (left anterior oblique) projection
laparotomy
Lasix
Latitude followup
lead impedance
lead threshold
12
13
left bundle branch block
left hemispheric cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
left ventricular chamber
left ventricular dysfunction
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
left ventricular hypertrophy
lidocaine drip
lift
Lipitor
Lo-Profile steerable dilatation catheter
long-standing history
longitudinal arteriotomy
Lopid
Lopressor
Lortab
lovastatin-induced myositis
low-grade fevers
low-profile port
L-transposition
LV (left ventricular) hypertrophy
LV (left ventricular) pressure
malaise
marked pitting edema
mattress suture
maximal heart rate
maximum predicted heart rate
Maxzide
MB fraction
median sternotomy incision
melena
methylprednisolone
Mevacor
MI (myocardial infarction)
Micronase
micropuncture needle technique
midaxillary line
13
14
mid forearm
Mills valvulotome
Minipress
minoxidil
mitral insufficiency
mitral valve prolapse
mitral valve replacement
mitral valve septal separation
mode switching
modified Bruce protocol
morphine sulfate
MR (mitral regurgitation)
MS (mitral stenosis)
mucosal lesion
mucous membranes moist
multilumen catheter
multiple sequential dilatations
murmurs, gallops, or rubs
myalgia
Mylar catheter
myocardial hypothermia
myocardial infarction
myositis
myringotomy tubes
myxedema myositis
myxomatous changes
Naprosyn
narrow complexes
nasal cannula
nasal oxygen
near-syncope
neck mass
neck supple
Neoral
nephrolithiasis
nephrosclerosis
14
15
neurovascularly neurologic
Neutra-Phos
Nexium
niacin
nipples everted
nitrates
Nitro-Dur disc
Nitro-Dur II
nitroglycerin ointment
nitroglycerin patch
nitroglycerin sublingual
nitro paste (edit to nitroglycerin ointment)
nitro patch (edit to nitroglycerin ointment)
nocturnal
noncandidate
noncrushing vascular clamps
nondecremental
nondiaphoretic
nondistended abdomen
nondominant vessel
noneverting fashion
nonfocal neurologic exam
nonicteric
non-Q-wave MI
nonreversed
nonsmoker
nonspecific ST and T-wave changes
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
nontender
nonvalved conduit
normal saline
normocephalic
normochromic anemia
normocytic anemia
Norvasc
Novofil suture
15
16
Novolin
NPH insulin
obtuse marginal artery
obtuse marginal branch of circumflex
occlusion
ohm
OM (obtuse marginal)
Omnipaque
organomegaly
orifice (pl. orifices)
orificial narrowing
oropharynx clear
orotracheal
orthodromic
orthopnea
orthostatic
Oscor active fixation leads
osteoarthritis
ostium
outflow tract
pacemaker mode
Paceport-Swan catheter
pacing thresholds
palpable pulses
palpable thrill within the graft
palpitations
Pamelor
papaverine solution
papillary muscles
papilledema
paralysis
parathyroid hormone level
paresis
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
PAT (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia)
patch closure of ventricular septal defect
16
17
patent foramen ovale
patent grafts
pathological reflexes
PDS suture
peak CPK
peaked T wave
pedicle
peel-away introducer
peptic ulcer disease
percussion
percutaneous groin puncture
pericardial effusion
pericardial fluid
pericardial lavage
pericardial well
pericardiocentesis
peripheral edema
peritonitis
PERL (pupils equal and reactive to light)
permanent rate-responsive pacemaker
Persantine
PET balloon
phosphate
pigtail catheter
pinked up
pitting edema
plaque
pleurisy
PMI (point of maximal impulse)
PND (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
pneumothorax (pl. pneumothoraces)
polymyalgia rheumatica
popliteal pulses
Port-A-Cath catheter
posterior ventricular branch of circumflex artery
posterior wall thickness
17
18
postexercise
poststenotic dilatation
postural hypotension
Potts scissors
precordium
Pred Forte
preexcitation pattern
preexcited R-R interval
preexercise state
Premarin
preopped (coined term for prepped)
pressure injector
pressurization
presyncope with intermittent junctional bradycardia
pretibial edema
procainamide
Procardia
profunda femoris
Prolene suture
prosthetic valve replacement
protamine
protuberant abdomen
psychosis
pullback
pulmonary adhesions
pulmonary arterial vent
pulmonary artery wedge waveforms
pulmonary edema
pulmonary embolus
pulmonary stenosis
pulmonary valvotomy
pulmonary vascular congestion
pulmonary vascular redistribution
pulsatile mass
pulsatile perfusion
pulse amplitude
18
19
pulse oximetry
pulsus paradoxus
purulent-appearing sputum
purulent-appearing urine
PVCs (premature ventricular contractions)
PVR (peak velocity ratio)
PVR (peripheral vascular resistance)
PVR (pulse volume recording)
quadripolar catheter
Quinaglute therapy
quinidine
radiated murmurs
rales
RAO (right anterior oblique) projection
rapid heartbeat
rare ectopic beats
RCA (right coronary artery)
reciprocating tachycardia
reduced lung capacity
reflex tachycardia
reflux esophagitis
refractory period
Reglan
regular insulin
renal insufficiency
residual gradient
respirators
retrograde atrial activation mapping
retroperitoneal hematoma
revascularization
reverse Trendelenburg
rhonchi
Rocaltrol
R-R interval
rub (noun) (pericardial friction)
running monofilament absorbable suture
19
20
ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
saline challenge
saphenofemoral junction
saphenous vein
2nd degree heart block
2nd diagonal branch
seizure disorder
seizure-like activity
Seldinger technique
self-retaining retractor
sensorium
septal perforators
septum
serial enzymes
serial tracings
serum aldolase level
sewing ring
SFA (superficial femoral artery)
shaggy ulcer
shortened PR interval
shortness of breath
sick sinus syndrome
side-biting clamp
Silastic tape
Silastic vessel loops
sinus bradycardia
sinus node dysfunction
slope
slurring of speech
spasmed
spironolactone
ST depression
steam autoclaved
steep Trendelenburg position
stenosis
stenotic valve
20
21
stent placement
stenting
steri-stripped
Steri-Strips
sternotomy incision
St. Jude composite valve graft
St. Jude prosthesis
St. Jude valve sewing ring
stool heme-negative
streptokinase
stroke
Stryker saw
ST-segment elevation
ST-T wave changes (= ST segment and T wave changes)
subacute myocardial infarction
subclavian venipuncture
subclavicular fascia
subcu (subcutaneous)
subcutaneous pocket
subendocardial MI (myocardial infarction)
subfascially
suboptimally
subvalvar
sulfa
supraannular constriction
supraceliac aorta
suprapubically
supravalvar aortic stenosis
supravalvular aortogram
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia)
Swan catheter
Swan-Ganz catheter
symmetrical breasts
synchronized cardioversion
syncopal episode
syncope
21
22
Synthroid
systemic hypertension
systolic ejection murmur
systolic murmur
tachyarrhythmia
tachycardic
tachypneic
takeoff
tamponade
Teflon felt bolsters
Tegaderm dressing
telemetry
temporary pacing wire
tensionless anastomosis
tented up
tetracycline
Tevdek pledgeted sutures
thallium
thallium perfusion study
thiazides
3-vessel disease
threshold
thrill
thrombin-soaked Gelfoam
thromboembolectomy
thrombotic material in atrial appendage
thrombus
thyroid extract
thyromegaly
TIA (transient ischemic attack)
Ti-Cron suture
titrate
TMs (tympanic membranes)
tonsil clamp
topical myocardial hypothermia
tracheotomy
22
23
transaortic gradient
transbronchial biopsy
Transderm-Nitro
transposition
transpulmonic gradient
tricuspid aortic valve
tricuspid regurgitation
tricuspid valve anuloplasty
triple-lumen catheter
trivial mitral regurgitation
truncus arteriosus
tube graft
two-vessel coronary artery disease
Tylenol
unlabored respirations
unstable angina
upstroke
urine cultures
uterine cancer
UTI (urinary tract infection)
VA (ventriculoatrial) conduction time
valvular function
valvular heart disease
varicosities
Vaseretic
venipuncture
venogram
venous blood return
ventricular arrhythmia
ventricular ectopy
ventricular extrastimulation
ventricular fibrillation
ventricular function
ventricular impulse
ventricular overdrive pacing
ventricular pacing
23
24
ventricular refractoriness
ventricular response
ventricular septal defect
ventricular tachycardia
ventricular wall motion
ventriculography
ventriculotomy
verapamil
Vicryl subcuticular suture
volume repletion
VSD (ventricular septal defect)
water pills
Wenckebach rhythm
wheezes
wheezing
Williams syndrome
with regard (not regards)
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
wound prophylaxis
woven graft
xanthelasma
Xylocaine
Zantac
Zaroxolyn
Zetia
24