Glossary Terms

Glossary Terms

Aortic Valve – A valve found in the left ventricle, where blood is ejected via the aorta to the rest of the body. The aortic valve opens and closes to allow blood to leave the heart¹.

Aortic Stenosis – A narrowing/thickening (which can occur most commonly) due to calcification of the leaflets of the aortic valve, which consequently adds pressure on the heart to pump blood out to the rest of the body. As the condition worsens, the narrowed or thickened aortic valve makes the heart work harder to eject blood through the narrowed opening of the diseased valve².

Asymptomatic – Not presenting any symptoms. Patients may typically be considered asymptomatic if they have recovered from a condition and no longer have symptoms, or if they have a condition in the early stages and are not presenting symptoms yet³.

Balloon Valvuloplasty –In this procedure, a balloon is positioned and inflated within the aortic valve itself to separate or expand the narrowed leaflets, before then deflating and removed from the body⁴.

Biological Tissue Valve – A type of valve replacement created from animals tissue, typically a pig or cow⁵.

Calcification – The process of calcium deposits building up in body tissue and causing the tissue to harden⁶.

Cardiac Catheterization –cardiac catheterization is a procedure where catheters are introduced into the patients’ heart/arteries to assess the structures within the heart⁷.

Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan – A test used to take images of your heart with an X-ray. These scans have the capability to indicate calcium build-up and blockages in arteries⁸.

Cardiac MRI – A test that can produce detailed images of the heart and its structures, including blood vessels, valves, muscle, and chambers⁹.

Cardiac Output – The amount of blood that is pumped out of the heart. When referring to a “decreased cardiac output” this refers to a decreased amount of blood being pumped out of the heart during this 1 min time period and therefore less blood being pumped out into the body¹⁰.

Cardiac Sonographer – A person trained in performing cardiac imaging tests¹¹.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon – A specialist surgeon who performs surgical procedures on the heart, lung, esophagus and other organs within the chest region¹².

Cardiologist – A specialist doctor who provides medical care specific to heart conditions/diseases¹³.

Cardiology – The study of the heart conditions and treatments related to the heart and heart structures¹⁴.

Chest X-Ray – Produces images of the heart, lung or bone structures in the chest¹⁵.

Classic Triad – A medical classic triad refers to a group of three things that have something in common. For example, the classic triad of symptoms, refers to the three typical symptoms that relate to a disease or condition¹⁶.

Echocardiography (Echo) – An ultrasound that uses sound waves to produce images of heart structures and identify anomalies within the heart¹⁷.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – A test that is used to record the electrical activity of the heart¹⁸.  

Exercise or Stress Tests – A specific cardiac test that measures and records heart activities during exercise¹⁹.

Heart Failure – A term used when cardiac output is unable to meet metabolic demands on the body²⁰.

Heart Lung Machine – A machine commonly used in open heart surgery to oxygenate a patient during cardiac surgery²¹.

Heart Team – A multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are responsible for the decision making and outcomes of a patient undergoing a heart procedure such as a TAVI procedure. The heart team includes a broad range of medical professionals to collaborate on patient therapy²².

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) –  An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a designated ward in a hospital designated to specifically cater for patients with potentially life-threatening injuries, illnesses or complications²³.

Interventional Cardiologist – A Cardiologist with specific training in the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, Congenital and Structural heart conditions through catheter-based procedures²⁴.

Leaflet – Part of a valve that is designed to open and aid blood flow or close to prevent backflow of blood²⁵.

Left Ventricle – The lower, left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps blood to the rest of the body via the aorta²⁶.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy – An enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle²⁷. 

Mechanical Valve – A mechanical valve is made from durable materials to create a long-lasting type of valve replacement²⁸. 

Mortality – The state of being mortal. Also used as a term for the death rate of a number of deaths in a certain group of people in a certain period of time²⁹.

Ejection Fraction – The percentage and measurement of blood leaving the heart when it contracts. To have a reduced ejection fraction, it may imply that the percentage of blood contracting out into the body is reduced³⁰.

Rheumatic Fever – An illness which occurs following a Streptococcus infection or Scarlet fever. It can cause long-lasting effects on the skin, heart, joints, and brain³¹.

Sheath – An enveloping structure of tubular case for the covering of a muscle, nerve or blood vessel. It can also refer to a piece of medical equipment used in various procedures³².

Sternum – A plate of bone which forms in the middle of the anterior wall of the thorax and articulating with the clavicles and cartilages of the first seven ribs³³.

Symptomatic – To show symptoms or concerning a single symptom³⁴.

Transapical – A surgical entry point or incision made under the left breast, below the heart³⁵.

Transaortic – Surgical procedures that are performed in the aorta or aortic valve³⁶.

Transcatheter – A procedure that is performed through the lumen of a catheter³⁷.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation – A procedure whereby a prosthetic valve is implanted inside the diseased aortic heart valve³⁸.

Transducer – A device which translates one physical quantity to another. For example, temperature to an electrical signal³⁹.

Transfemoral – Surgical entry point through the femoral artery, which is a large artery located in the groin⁴⁰.

Warfarin – A prescription medicine to prevent blood clotting or clots growing larger⁴¹. 

Patient Disclaimer: All content on the Hope For Hearts site is created and published online for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Please see your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.