Medical Terms
A-B
C-F
G-P
Q-Z
A |
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ALCAPA |
Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare but serious congenital anomaly. ALCAPA anomaly may result from (1) abnormal septation of the conotruncus into the aorta and pulmonary artery, or from (2) persistence of the pulmonary buds together with involution of the aortic buds that will eventually form the coronary arteries. In the current era, the prognosis for patients with ALCAPA is dramatically improved through early diagnosis utilizing echocardiography with color flow mapping and through improvements in surgical techniques, including myocardial preservation. See http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2484.htm. |
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Angiocardiogram |
An X-ray of the heart assisted by a liquid introduced through a catheter. |
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Anticoagulant |
A drug whose purpose is to reduce blood clotting. |
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Aorta |
Main artery of the heart which carries blood to the body. |
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Aortic valve |
The valve between the left ventricle (pumping chamber) and the aorta. |
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Arrhythmia |
Disturbance of normal rhythm of the heart. |
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Artery |
Vessel which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to all parts of the body. |
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ASD |
Atrial Septal Defect - a hole in the septum (wall) between the two atria (collecting chambers) allowing blood to flow between the two sides of the heart. |
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Atresia |
Connection that is either blocked or missing altogether. |
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Atrium |
An upper collecting chamber in the heart which receives incoming blood. |
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AVSD |
Atrial Ventricular Septal Defect - holes in the septum between the atria and between the ventricles with often a common valve between all four chambers. The most common heart defect in babies with Down's Syndrome. |
B |
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Banding |
Narrowing of the pulmonary artery with a band to reduce blood flow to the lungs. |
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Blue Baby |
A baby who has too little oxygenated blood circulating and therefore has a blue tinge to certain parts of the skin (see cyanosis). |
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Bradycardia |
Abormally slow heart rate. |
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