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Moduleglossary

Acquired aortic valve disease
Acquired aortic valve disease refers to abnormalities of the aortic valve that develop with age.
Allograft valves
Replacement valves recovered from the hearts of humans who have died (cadavers).
Aneurysm
Localized dilatation of an artery, a vein or a component of the heart
Angina pectoris
The discomfort experienced by individuals when their heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood supply. Every patient's angina is somewhat different. In some cases it causes heaviness in the chest, in others a burning sensation or discomfort in the left arm, and in some cases a pain in the left jaw.
Angiogram
An investigation to investigate blood vessels. A coronary angiogram usually involves a catheter being placed directly into the vessels supplying the heart with blood where dye will show the anatomy and any narrowings within the coronary arteries. A CT angiogram involves at CT scan with dye injected into the veins. This will show anatomy of the arteries around the heart as well as larger vessels in the chest.
Angioplasty
A procedure on an artery within the body. A coronary angioplasty is usually performed by a Cardiologist where a narrowing within a coronary artery is widened with either a balloon angioplasty or with the placement of a stent within the artery. Your Heart Team consists of a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon that will determine whether angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery is better suited to treat your coronary artery disease based on your your physical condition and the complexity of the disease in the coronary arteries.
Annuloplasty
Any of a variety of techniques may be used to support or repair a valve after repair. The annulus is the outer border or limit of the valve structure. An annuloplasty supports that outer ring after repair.
Antibiotic prophylaxis
Antibiotics taken before a surgical or dental procedure to prevent infection of an abnormal or artificial heart valve called prophylactic antibiotics. Specific recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis are available from the American Heart Association.
Anticoagulants
Medications that interfere with, or inhibit, blood from clotting are sometimes recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation or an artificial valve. An example of a weak or mild anticoagulant is aspirin. An example of a more powerful anticoagulant is warfarin or coumadin. Newer types of anticoagulants are also used called NOACs (New Oral AntiCoagulants) such as Apixaban or Rivaroxaban.
Aorta
The aorta is the body's largest artery (the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood). Roughly the diameter of a garden hose, this artery extends from the aortic valve in the heart down through the chest and abdominal region, where it divides into a blood vessel that supplies each leg.
Aorta
The vessel rising from the left ventricle and driving blood to all the body
Aortic arch
The curved portion of the aorta between the ascending and descending portions and giving rise to the vessels for the upper part of the body, including the head
Aortic arch anomalies
Anomalies regarding the aortic arch
Aortic arch hypoplasia
Incomplete development or underdevelopment of the aortic arch
Aortic arch interruption
Separation occurring between ascending and descending aorta
Aortic dissection
The aorta, the main blood vessel leading from the heart to the rest of the body, has a wall made of three layers. In rare circumstances, the layers of the aorta can separate, much as layers of plywood will separate when left in the rain. When this happens to the aorta, it is called aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a surgical emergency. Patients who suffer from it are at significant risk of death. Several conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) and Marfan's syndrome may lead to an aortic dissection.
Aortic valve
Four valves are in the heart with two on the left side and two on the right side. On each side there is an inflow valve to the ventricle - the main pumping chamber - and an outflow valve. The aortic valve is the outflow valve for the left ventricle, and as such opens when the ventricle squeezes blood out and then closes to keep blood from leaking back into the ventricle.
Aortic valve
The valve between the left ventricle and the aorta
Aortic valve atresia
Absence or closure of the normally opened aortic valve
Aortic valve disease
Any structural or functional anomaly of the aortic valve
Aortic valve regurgitation
A condition in which the aortic valve can't close properly, causing blood from the aorta to flow backward into the left ventricle
Aortic valve repair and replacement
While repair involves repairing or modifying the components of the native aortic valve, replacement involves the removal of the native valve, which is substituted with prostheses 
Aortic valve stenosis
A condition in which the aortic valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the left ventricle to the aorta
Aortopulmonary connections
Anomalous connections between the aortic and pulmonary vessels, in presence of a congenital heart disease
Aortopulmonary window
Presence of a direct communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery
Aortoventricular tunnel
Presence of an extracardiac channel connecting the ascending aorta to the cavity of the right or left ventricle
Arterial switch operation
Surgery to correct Transposition of Great Arteries, restoring the right connection between the aorta and the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle, respectively
Ascending aortic aneurysms
The first portion of the aorta as it exits from the heart is the ascending aorta. Occasionally the aorta will enlarge or dilate. Such areas of dilatation are called aneurysms. When the ascending aorta dilates and becomes an ascending aortic aneurysm it may cause aortic dissection, may rupture or burst, or may case the aortic valve to leak
Atrial appendage
A portion of the left or right atrium that resembles an empty pouch. Is has little or no function but can be an area that is susceptible to blood clot formation, particularly when there is atrial fibrillation. A cardiac surgeon may propose a procedure to lower this risk of clot formation called left atrial appendage plication (oversewing) or ligation (clipping).
Atrial contraction
Atrial contraction refers to the part of the heart cycle when the atrium (or upper, low-pressure chamber) squeezes or contracts forcing blood into the ventricle (the main pumping chamber).
Atrial fibrillation
When the atrium (the upper, low pressure chamber of the heart) does not squeeze or contract at one uniform, coordinated time but instead contracts irregularly with one portion contracting well before or after another, the result is atrial fibrillation. When this happens, the atrium cannot push blood into the ventricles in the normal manner. Blood clots are also more likely to form in the atrium and anticoagulants are often prescribed.
Atrial isomerism
Abnormal arrangement with symmetric development of either right or left appendages, which are normally asymmetric
Atrial septal defect
A hole between the right and the left atria, normally completely separated by a septum
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
Normally there is a wall or "septum" between the right and left atrium, the upper, low-pressure chambers of the heart. When there is a hole in that wall allowing blood to flow in both directions, it is called an atrial septal defect, or "ASD."
Atrioventricular canal defects
Group of congenital heart diseases characterized by the presence of a hole in the centre of the heart, between the four chambers (right and left atrium, right and left ventricle), with a common valve between the two atria and the two ventricles
Atrioventricular Node
Although the upper chambers (the atria) and the lower chambers (the ventricles) are physically connected to one another to allow blood to flow from one to the other, from an electrical standpoint, they are normally connected to one another at only one point. This point is called the atrioventricular node. Therefore, the electrical impulse from the atrium must pass through this point to reach the ventricle. If this connection is destroyed, for example in the cardiac catheterisation lab by radiofrequency ablation ("A-V node ablation"), the electrical impulse from the atrium can no longer reach the ventricle. Regardless of what is going on in the atrium electrically- sinus rhythm, atrial flutter, or atrial fibrillation-the ventricle will beat at its own pace. In some individuals, there is an extra or "accessory" pathway from the atria to the ventricles, which results in a syndrome causing palpitations and a rapid heart rate called "Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome."
Atrio-ventricular valve
The valves between the atria and ventricles are called atrio-ventricular valves. The atrio-ventricular valve on the left is the mitral valve. The atrio-ventricular valve on the right is the tricuspid valve.
Atrium
There are four chambers in the heart, two on the right side pumping to the lungs, and two on the left side pumping to the body. On each side there is an upper, low-pressure chamber that collects blood from the veins and delivers it to the ventricles, the main pumping chambers of the heart. These upper chambers are called the atria (plural) or atrium (singular).
Bacterial endocarditis
Occasionally a blood stream infection will settle on a heart valve and damage it. The infection is called bacterial endocarditis.
Balloon angioplasty
Balloon angioplasty is a procedure performed by cardiologists to help open narrowing of the coronary arteries. This procedure requires cardiac catheterisation and involves passing a catheter with a balloon into the artery. The balloon is then blown up in the artery to eliminate the narrow area.
Balloon valvuloplasty
Interventional cardiologists (cardiologists who concentrate their efforts on correcting conditions using catheters from inside the blood vessels) can often open up a narrow or stenotic valve by blowing up a special balloon in the valve and stretching it open.
Bicuspid aortic valve
The aortic valve normally has three leaflets or cusps. Occasionally an individual is born with a valve having only two cusps - called a bicuspid valve.
Bicuspid aortic valve
Anomaly of the aortic valve involving the presence of two, instead of three cusps of the valve
Bicuspid pulmonary valve
Anomaly of the pulmonary valve involving the presence of two, instead of three cusps of the valve
Bicuspid pulmonary valve
Anomaly of the pulmonary valve involving the presence of two, instead of three cusps of the valve
Biological valves
Artificial valves made from humans or animals, rather than from metal, are called biological valves. Examples of biological valves are porcine xenografts, human homografts or allografts, and pulmonary autografts.
Bronchus
Either of the two major branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs. The trachea divides to form the right and left main bronchi (pleural of bronchus) that travel to each of the lungs.
Bypass Surgery
An abbreviated term for coronary artery bypass surgery
Cardiac catheterisation
Cardiac catheterisation is a procedure accomplished by passing small tubes or catheters into the heart from arteries and veins in the groin or arm. It is performed by a cardiologist with specialised training. Many conditions affecting the heart require direct measurement of pressures in the chambers or injection of dye (contrast material visible on Xray).
Cardiologist
Cardiologists are physicians trained in Medicine who specialise in diseases of the heart.
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle causing an impairment of its normal function
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)
Technique used during cardiac surgery operation, in which a machine temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs
Cardiothoracic surgeon
Cardiothoracic surgeons are surgeons who undergo specialised training in surgery of the chest and organs including the heart and lungs. In the United Kingdom surgeons generally practice either Cardiac (Heart), Thoracic (Lungs and chest wall) or Congenital (Heart and Lung disease in children). Some surgeons may practice a combination of these.
Catheter
A narrow tube that can be passed inside blood vessels to the heart for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Catheter intervention
Any procedure in which a catheter is inserted into a chamber of the heart or a vessel, for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
Coarctation of the aorta
A narrowing of any of the segments of the aorta
Collateral vessels
Abnormal blood vessels that form over time in response to the presence of a narrowing
Common atrioventricular valve
Presence of one, either of two, valve through which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles
Congenital aortic valve disease
Abnormalities present at birth are called "congenital." Congenital aortic valve disease refers to abnormalities of the aortic valve present from birth. An example would be Bicuspid aortic valve, where there are two leaflets instead of three forming the aortic valve.
Congenital heart disease
Birth defect affecting the normal structure and the function of the heart
Congenital mitral valve disease
Abnormalities present at birth are called "congenital." Congenital mitral valve disease refers to abnormalities of the mitral valve present from birth. An example would be a mitral valve cleft causing the valve to leak or Barlow’s type valve where there is an excess of tissue causing prolapse and leaking.
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
Rare heart defect in which the ventricles are reversed in their position, meaning that the right ventricle is abnormally connected to the left atrium and the aorta, which are normally connected to the left ventricle, and the left ventricle is abnormally connected to the right atrium and the pulmonary artery, which are normally connected to the right ventricle
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
A group of lung diseases that cause obstruction of the airways. This results in a decreased ability to move air in and out of the lungs. Diseases classified under the heading of COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis. Even with treatment, COPD is not completely reversible and usually worsens over time. Symptoms of COPD include difficulty breathing, a chronic cough, and wheezing.
Coronary arteries
The coronary arteries are the arteries on the surface of the heart that provide blood flow to the heart muscle itself.
Coronary artery aneurysm
Localized dilatation of a coronary artery
Coronary artery anomalies
Anomalies regarding the coronary arteries
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
The surgical procedure to treat narrowing or "stenosis" of the coronary arteries is called coronary artery bypass, or CABG (pronounced "cabbage"). To accomplish this, cardiothoracic surgeons create bypasses around the obstructions in the coronary arteries with arteries or veins from elsewhere in the body to improve blood flow to the heart.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is characterised by a narrowing or "stenosis" of the blood vessels to the heart resulting in inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle itself.
Coronary sinus
Large vein located on the posterior surface of the heart and collecting the blood from the coronary veins
Cyanosis
Bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to a low oxygen saturation in presence of a congenital heart disease
Dextrocardia
A rare congenital heart disease in which the apex of the heart is abnormally located on the right side of the body
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a common disease in which one's blood sugar is not appropriately controlled. It is a risk factor for coronary artery disease among other conditions. There are two primary types of diabetes mellitus known as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diastole
Diastole is the portion of the heart's pumping cycle during which the muscle relaxes to let the heart fill. The portion of the cycle when the heart empties is called systole.
Diverticulum of Kommerell
Developmental anomaly of the aortic arch characterized by the presence of a dilatation of the descending aorta at the origin of an abnormally located subclavian artery
Double aortic arch
A rare congenital heart disease in which two aortic arches form a complete vascular ring around the trachea and oesophagus, possibly causing symptoms of compression
Double-inlet single-ventricle
A rare congenital heart disease in which the left and the right atrium are both connected to the lower pumping chamber, or ventricle. The other ventricle is usually very small
Double-outlet right ventricle (DORV)
A congenital heart disease in which the aorta and the pulmonary artery both connect the right ventricle
Ductus arteriosus
A short vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery during foetal life, normally closing at birth
Ebstein’s anomaly
A rare heart defect in which the tricuspid valve is not formed properly, being displaced toward the apex of the right ventricle and causing regurgitation of the blood backward to the atrium
Echocardiogram (Echo)
An Echo is a sound wave picture of the heart that gives information about the valves of the heart and the function of the muscular walls of the heart.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography is the process whereby an echocardiogram is performed and interpreted.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The electrocardiogram is a test of the way the electrical impulses flow through the heart. Abnormalities may indicate that a heart attack has occurred in the past. If performed during symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease angina pectoris, abnormalities may confirm the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.
Emphysema
A chronic lung disease caused by damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lung where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. With emphysema, damage to the alveoli results in air becoming trapped, causing them to expand and rupture.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
Extracorporeal technique to provide prolonged respiratory and cardiac support when either the lungs and the heart are not able to provide an adequate function to sustain life
Fontan procedure
A palliative surgical procedure for children with univentricular hearts, in which the blood returning from the body to the right atrium is directly diverted into the pulmonary arteries to overcome a failing ventricle
Foramen ovale
An opening in the upper part of the septum between the right and the left atrium, normally present only during foetal life
Fossa ovalis, secundum atrial septal defect
Persistence of the foramen ovale beyond the foetal life
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
The term gastro-oesophageal reflux describes the movement (or reflux) of stomach contents back up into the oesophagus, the muscular tube that extends from the neck to the abdomen and connects the back of the throat to the stomach. Because the stomach manufactures acid as an aid to digestion, this phenomenon is often referred to as acid reflux or heartburn.
Glenn shunt
Surgical connection of the superior vena cava with the right pulmonary artery in presence of a single ventricle circulation
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when the heart does not get enough blood flow leading to the death of the heart muscle. This event is also known as a myocardial infarction.
Heart failure
Heart failure is a degenerative condition that occurs when the heart muscle weakens and the ventricle no longer contracts normally. The heart can then no longer pump enough blood to the body. This may limit exercise tolerance or may cause fluid retention with swelling of the feet or shortness of breath.
Heart transplantation
A procedure to replace a diseased heart with a healthy one coming from a donor
Heterotaxy
Abnormal arrangement with symmetric development of normally asymmetrical structures of the body (lungs, liver, spleen, hearts’ components, etc.)
Hiatal Hernia
Occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. There are two categories of hiatal hernias, sliding or paraesophageal. With paraesophageal hernias, the gastro-oesophageal junction remains where it belongs, but part of the stomach is squeezed up into the chest beside the oesophagus. These hernias remain in the chest at all times. With this type of hernia, complications can occur.
Homograft valves
Homograft valves are replacement valves recovered from the hearts of humans who have died (cadavers). See also Allograft valves.
Hyperhidrosis
A disorder characterized by excessive sweating. Although sweating is a normal bodily function that helps regulate body temperature in hot weather and during exercise, patients with hyperhidrosis often sweat excessively even at in mild weather and at rest. Focal Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating that is not generalized but located in specific body regions. The excessive sweating can occur in the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis), the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), the face (cranio-facial hyperhidrosis) or the feet (plantar hyperhidrosis). Focal Hyperhidrosis occurs in up to 3% of the population. While there may be a genetic component involved in the susceptibility to this disorder, nobody understands the exact cause. We do however know that sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It has many causes and is a risk factor for a number of other medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, aortic dissection, and heart failure.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
A disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, usually due to a genetic mutation
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
A complex and rare congenital heart disease in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped
Hypotension
Hypotension refers to abnormally low blood pressure.
Inferior vena cava
The big vein collecting the venous blood returning from the lower part of the body into the right atrium
Internal mammary artery
This artery is on the inside of the chest wall and is commonly used for bypass grafting. It may also be called the internal thoracic artery. Most commonly the Left Internal Mammary artery is used to graft onto the front of the heart and is known as the LIMA graft.
Interrupted aortic arch
See aortic arch interruption
Ischaemic
This term means not having enough blood flow. When a part of the body does not receive enough blood flow, it is called ischemic.
Ischemic heart disease
When the arteries providing blood to the heart, the coronary arteries, become clogged the heart cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients. It then becomes "ischemic." This condition is called ischemic heart disease, and it is caused by coronary artery disease.
Jugular vein
The big vein collecting venous blood returning from the head into the superior caval vein
Left aortic arch
Normally positioned aortic arch
Left atrium
The chamber of the heart collecting oxygenated venous blood from the pulmonary circulation
Left ventricle
The chamber of the heart collecting oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumping it through the aorta in the rest of the body
Left ventricle
The main pumping chambers of the heart are the ventricles. The heart has a right side that pumps blood to the lungs, and a left side that pumps blood to the body. The left side of the heart, therefore, must work harder than the right. Therefore the main pumping chamber of heart is the left ventricle.
Ligamentum arteriosum
See ductus arteriosus
Lobectomy
A type of lung cancer surgery in which one lobe of a lung is removed as a treatment for lung cancer. The right lung has 3 lobes, and the left lung has 2 lobes. A lobectomy is also performed occasionally for other conditions, such as tuberculosis, severe COPD or trauma that interrupts major blood vessels near the lungs.
Lung cancer
Arises when a series of mutations in normal lung cells cause them to become abnormal and grow out of control. These changes can take place anywhere from the bronchus (the windpipe), down to the small air sacs in the periphery of the lungs where oxygen exchange takes place.
Lymph Nodes
Small, bean-shaped glands that are located along the lymphatic system (a system of vessels similar to arteries and veins that lymph fluid travels through). Lymph nodes are located throughout the body, and they filter bacteria, cancer cells, and other foreign material that travel through the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are well-known as the "swollen glands" people may note in their neck when they are fighting a cold or sore throat. With lung cancer, cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic system and become trapped in lymph nodes. Determining which, if any, lymph nodes contain cancer cells help doctors determine the stage of a cancer - that is, how far the cancer has spread. Subsequently, they can choose the best treatment.
Lymphoma
A cancer of the lymphatic system.
Marfan's syndrome
This condition is an inherited disease affecting the bones, joints, and heart and great vessels. It can cause valves to become leaky and/or the aorta to become aneurysmal or to dissect.
Mechanical valves
Artificial valves made from metal, plastic, and/or pyrolytic carbon. They have excellent durability and most will last indefinitely.
Median sternotomy
The incision traditionally used to perform heart surgery in which the sternum or breastbone is divided down the middle from top to bottom.
Mediastinum
The area in the chest between the lungs, that contains the heart, the windpipe (trachea), and the oesophagus. The mediastinum also contains lymph nodes and glands such as the Thymus.
Minimally invasive heart surgery
The term minimally invasive heart surgery is used to describe a variety of approaches that reduce the trauma of surgery and speed recovery. These approaches include "keyhole" surgery, and heart surgery without the use of a heart lung machine, and many other techniques.
Mitral valve
There are four valves in the heart, two on the left side and two on the right side. On each side there is an inflow valve to the ventricle - the main pumping chamber - and an outflow valve. The mitral valve is the inflow valve for the left ventricle. As such, it closes when the ventricle squeezes blood out to the body, and then opens to let more blood into the ventricle.
Mitral valve
The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle
Mitral valve regurgitation
A condition in which the mitral valve can’t close properly, causing blood from the left ventricle to flow backward into the left atrium
Mitral valve stenosis
A condition in which the mitral valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the left atrium to the left ventricle
Myasthenia gravis
An autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Usually, the body's immune system makes antibodies to attack germs that invade the body. "Autoimmune" means that a person's immune system malfunctions and it creates antibodies that attack the person's own cells. In myasthenia gravis, the antibodies interfere with the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles. In other words, the muscles don't receive the signal from the nerves to move. Sometimes removing the thymus gland can improve the condition.
Myocardial infarction
When the heart does not get enough blood flow, the heart muscle dies. This is called a myocardial infarction or, in more common language, a heart attack.
Myocardium
Heart muscle
Obstructive cardiomyopathy
A disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, usually due to a genetic mutation, causing a restriction to the blood moving from the left ventricle to the aorta
Oesophageal atresia
Congenital defect in which the oesophagus terminates in a blind-ended pouch instead of the stomach
Oesophagectomy
Removal of the oesophagus.
Oesophagus
The oesophagus is a muscular tube that extends from the neck to the abdomen and connects the back of the throat to the stomach. Its inner lining, or mucosa, normally consists of flat cells (known as squamous cells) that are similar to those of the skin.
Palliative procedures
Operations where there is not full correction of a heart defect but is meant to improve an abnormal heart function, usually when corrective surgery is not (yet) possible
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
The normal heart rhythm is set by the sino-atrial node, an area of specialised tissue in the atrium. Occasionally a very fast rhythm or "tachycardia" will originate in the atrium. This is "atrial tachycardia." When it occurs suddenly and intermittently, it is called "paroxysmal."
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection
Congenital heart disease in which some of the pulmonary veins are abnormally connected, directly or not, to the right instead of the left atrium
Partial atrioventricular canal
A variant of complete atrioventricular canal in which a hole between the upper chambers (the atria) is associated with a leakage of the valve between the atria and the ventricles
Patch
A small piece of material used to repair a tear of a break, to close a hole, or to strengthen a weak place
Patent ductus arteriosus
Persistence of the ductus arteriosus beyond the foetal life
Pericardium
Tiny sac enveloping the heart
Pericardium
The thin but very strong layer of fibrous tissue that encases the heart. It is normally made up of layers that slide easily over one another. Diseases can cause thickening of the tissue or fluid to build up between the layers which can adversely affect the heart function. Procedures to remove the pericardium and called pericardiectomy. Procedures to make a hole within the pericardium to allow fluid to drain is called pericardial window.

Some xenograft heart valve are made with pericardial tissue from healthy animals. These are called pericardial tissue valves.
Pleura
Tiny sac enveloping the lungs
Pleural effusion
An abnormal build-up of fluid in the cavity between the membrane that surrounds the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the chest wall.
Pneumonectomy
A pneumonectomy involves the removal of the left or right entire lung. It can result in a significant loss of lung function. Despite this, many individuals with good lung function prior to surgery, tolerate living with one lung quite well. A pneumonectomy is considered if a tumour is too large to be removed by the other methods available, or if the tumour is located in a more central location in the lung.
Pneumothorax
The leakage of air into the space between the lung and the lung lining (the pleural cavity), resulting in a collapsed lung. A pneumothorax can happen spontaneously, or occur as the result of trauma or certain medical procedures.
Premature atrial contractions
The normal heart rhythm is set by the sinoatrial node, an area of specialised tissue in the atrium. Occasionally an early or "premature" beat or contraction originates from the atrium.
Primum atrial septal defect
An opening in the lower part of the septum between the right and the left atrium
Prosthesis
An artificial replacement part, such as an artificial valve, is called prosthesis.
Pulmonary artery
The vessel rising from the right ventricle and driving blood to the lungs
Pulmonary artery banding
Palliative procedure producing a narrowing at the level of the pulmonary artery to reduce the pulmonary blood flow in some congenital heart defects
Pulmonary atresia
Absence or closure of the normally opened pulmonary valve
Pulmonary autograft valves
A new approach for replacement of a diseased aortic valve involves moving the patient’s own pulmonary valve (the valve on the right side of the heart that leads to the pulmonary artery and the lungs just as the aortic valve leads to the aorta and the body) into the aortic position to replace a stenotic or regurgitant aortic valve.
Pulmonary stenosis
A condition in which there a condition in which the aortic valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the left ventricle to the aorta a condition in which the aortic valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the left ventricle to the aorta restriction to the blood flow afterward from the left ventricle to the aorta
Pulmonary valve
The valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
Pulmonary valve regurgitation
A condition in which the pulmonary valve can’t close properly, causing blood from the pulmonary artery to flow backward into the right ventricle
Pulmonary valve stenosis
A condition in which the pulmonary valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery
Pulmonary vein isolation
A procedure to create scar tissue around the junction of the pulmonary veins and the left atrium to inhibit abnormal electrical activity causing atrial fibrillation. It is part of the procedure used in atrial fibrillation surgery.
Pulmonary veins
The veins collecting the oxygenated venous blood returning from the pulmonary circulation into the left atrium
Pulmonary venous connection anomalies
Anomalies regarding the pulmonary veins
Radial artery
An artery in the forearm of the body that supplies blood to the hand. It may be used as a graft for coronary artery bypass surgery as usually the hand is supplied by two arteries, the radial artery and the ulnar artery. The radial artery is often used for catheterisation of the heart for angiograms.
Regurgitation
When a valve leaks it is said to be "regurgitant," or to exhibit regurgitation.
Resternotomy
When the breastbone is divided to expose the heart, it is called a sternotomy. A resternotomy is the subsequent opening of the chest by dividing the breastbone again. If it is done soon after an operation, for example bleeding, it can be easy to perform. If it is performed months after the initial operation, it can be more complex to perform.
Rheumatic fever
Streptococcal infection occasionally causes a more generalised disease or inflammation in the joints and heart valves. In the heart valves this may progress with time to ultimately damage the valves sufficiently enough that they must be replaced. This is called rheumatic heart disease.
Right aortic arch
Aortic arch abnormally positioned on the right side
Right atrium
The chamber of the heart collecting de-oxygenated venous blood from the venous circulation
Right ventricle
The chamber of the heart collecting de-oxygenated blood from the right atrium and pumping it through the pulmonary artery in the pulmonary circulation
Saphenous vein
This vein on the inside of the leg running from the ankle to the groin can be used to make bypasses from the aorta to the coronary arteries. There is a deep venous system that normally does most of the work draining blood from the legs back to the heart. The saphenous vein is part of the superficial system that normally does only about 10% of the work. The saphenous vein can, therefore, be taken out without harming the patient or adversely affecting the leg. It is common for the leg from which the vein is harvested to swell slightly.
Secundum atrial septal defect
See fossa ovalis
Senile aortic calcification
As some individuals get older, calcium may accumulate on the leaflets of the aortic valve. The normal functioning of the valve requires that the leaflets open and close completely. When this calcium accumulates, the leaflets can no longer function normally. This condition is called senile (referring to older age) calcification.
Shunt
Abnormal pattern of blood flow in patients with congenital heart defects or bypass of the capillary system to which a given blood flow is destinated
Single ventricle
A heart defect in which one lower chamber (ventricle) does not develop normally
Sinoatrial node
The normal "pacemaker" for the heart is an area of specialised cells in the atrium called the sinoatrial or "SA" node. These cells automatically send out an electrical impulse to the rest of the heart telling it to contract.
Sinus rhythm
The normal rhythm of the heart originates in the sinoatrial node. It is called sinus rhythm.
Situs inversus
A condition in which the arrangement of the internal organs is mirror-imaged compared to the normal anatomy
Situs solitus
Normal arrangement of the internal organs of the body
Sleeve Resection
A surgical procedure that removes part of the bronchus.
Stenosis
Narrowing of a valve or an artery is called stenosis. A stenotic valve does not open completely and therefore it obstructs or blocks blood from moving through it normally. An artery can become stenotic as well, such that there is obstruction of blood flow through it to the organs of the body.
Stent
A tube placed into a hollow structure of the body to hold it open
Sternotomy
A traditional open-surgery approach that uses an incision to divide the breast-bone to resect or remove large mediastinal masses or tumours. A sternotomy allows access to the entire chest cavity including the heart, great vessels and lungs, and may be necessary for larger tumours and masses.
Stress test
A variety of tests usually fall under the general term of stress test. These include stress, dobutamine or stress echocardiography, and traditional electrocardiographic stress tests. Any of these may reveal inadequate blood flow to the heart or ischemia. During a stress test, the heart is monitored by any one of these means both at rest and with exercise or stress to see if there is a difference in blood flow.
Subaortic stenosis
A condition in which the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta is restricted due to an obstruction in the area under the aortic valve
Subpulmonary stenosis
A condition in which the blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery is restricted due to an obstruction in the area under the pulmonary valve
Superior vena cava
The big vein collecting the venous blood returning from the upper part of the body into the right atrium
Supravalvar aortic stenosis
A condition in which the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta is restricted due to an obstruction in the area upon the aortic valve
Supravalvar pulmonary stenosis
A condition in which the blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery is restricted due to an obstruction in the area upon the pulmonary valve
Syncope
A fainting spell or loss of consciousness is called syncope.
Systole
The part of the cycle during which the muscle contracts to empty the heart is called systole. The filling portion is diastole.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Congenital heart defects characterized by the combination of four elements, namely a ventricular septal defect, an abnormal position of the aortic valve upon the ventricular septal defect, an obstruction to the flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, right ventricular hypertrophy
Thoracic Surgeon
A thoracic surgeon is a medical doctor who performs operations on the heart, lungs, oesophagus, and other organs in the chest. This also includes surgeons who can be called cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons, and congenital heart surgeons.
Thoracoscopy
A procedure in which a thin tube is attached to a camera and inserted into the chest cavity through small incisions in the skin.
Thoracotomy
A traditional open-surgery approach that uses an incision to divide the ribs to resect or remove large mediastinal masses or tumours. Similar to a sternotomy, this procedure allows access to the entire chest cavity and enables the thoracic surgeon to safely and effectively remove the tumours or masses.
Thorax/Thoracic
The word thoracic is the adjective form of the noun "thorax." The word thorac derives from the Greek and Latin words for breastplate or chest. The term thorax refers to the area of the human body that is located between the neck and the abdomen. The thorax contains the heart, lungs, oesophagus, and great vessels surrounded by the breastbone or sternum in front, the ribs on each side, and the vertebral column in the back.
Thymus
A secretory gland with an important role in immune function
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection
Congenital heart disease in which all the pulmonary veins are abnormally connected, directly or not, to the right instead of the left atrium
Trachea
The part of the airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (the large airways leading to the lungs)
Trachea
The large air tube that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (the large airways at the top of the lungs). The trachea is made up of rings of cartilage and is roughly 4 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. It is commonly referred to as the ‘windpipe’.
Transposition of the great arteries
Rare heart defect in which the great arteries are reversed in their position, meaning that the aorta is abnormally connected to the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery++ is abnormally connected to the left ventricle
Tricuspid aortic valve
The normal aortic valve normally has three cusps or leaflets and is therefore called tricuspid (as opposed to a bicuspid aortic valve).
Tricuspid valve
There are four valves in the heart, two on the left side and two on the right side. On each side there is an inflow valve to the ventricle - the main pumping chamber - and an outflow valve. The tricuspid valve is the inflow valve for the right ventricle, and as such closes when the ventricle squeezes blood out to the lungs and then opens to let more blood in to the ventricle.
Tricuspid valve
The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle
Tricuspid valve regurgitation
A condition in which the tricuspid valve can’t close properly, causing blood from the right ventricle to flow backward into the right atrium
Tricuspid valve stenosis
A condition in which the tricuspid valve can’t open properly, causing a restriction to the blood flow afterward from the right atrium to the right ventricle
Truncus arteriosus
A rare congenital heart defects in which the great arteries fail to separate during the fetal life, leaving a connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery with a single blood vessel coming out of the right and the left ventricle
Varicose veins
The veins in the leg may become weakened and enlarged, particularly after blood clots have formed in them. Such thin-walled, enlarged veins are called "varicose" and cannot be used for coronary bypass grafts.
Vascular ring
Abnormal formation of the aorta with the normal vessels rising from it in an anomalous position, possibly causing compression or obstruction of the oesophagus or the airway
Vena Cava
The vena cavae (plural of vena cava) are two large veins that return oxygen-poor blood into the right atrium of the heart. The superior vena cava delivers oxygen-poor blood to the atrium from the upper half of the body (arms and head), and the inferior vena cava delivers oxygen-poor blood into the atrium from the lower half of the body (abdomen and legs).
Ventricle
The main pumping chamber of the heart is the ventricle. The right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs and the left side pumps blood around the body.
Ventricular assist device
Implantable mechanical pump which is used to help a failing heart to eject the blood from the ventricles to the rest of the body
Ventricular function
The performance or strength of the main pumping chamber of the heart is called "ventricular function." Good left ventricular function is considered when more than 50% of the blood is ejected from the ventricle during each contraction.
Ventricular septal defect
A hole between the right and the left ventricles, normally completely separated by a septum
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
A surgical procedure that uses instruments and a camera to operate inside the chest cavity. With lung cancer, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) allows surgeons to operate on the lungs through a space between the ribs. 2 to 4 incisions are made, and the tumour is removed with the use of special instruments. VATS is a relatively new procedure that is done primarily at large academic cancer centres. It is hoped that it may work as well as conventional lung cancer surgery since it is a less invasive surgical procedure. Conventional lung cancer surgery requires surgeons to cut through large muscles and spread the ribs to operate on the lungs.
Wedge Resection (Segmental Resection)
A wedge resection removes the portion of your lung that includes the tumour, and some surrounding tissue. It is most commonly done when a tumour is caught very early, or if surgery that is more extensive would interfere too much with your breathing. The chance that your cancer will return after this type of surgery is somewhat higher than with the other types of surgery.
Xenograft valves
Artificial valves made from animal tissue are called xenografts. Most often the valves are made from pig aortic valves. More recently, some valves have been made from cow tissues.