Twin Cities Heart and Lung: Medical Glossary

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Heart Procedures

Lung Procedures

Vascular Procedures

Glossary of Medical Terms

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Cardiac Catheterization
See coronary angiography.

Cardiovascular Disease
Any type of disease involving the heart.

Cardiovascular
Of or pertaining to the heart

Carotid Arteries
The two main arteries located on either side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the brain.

Cautery
A device that is used for sealing or cutting a vessel that prevents bleeding

Cerebro-Vascular Accident (CVA)
Otherwise known as a stroke. It is the death of brain tissue due to the loss of blood flow to a particular area of the brain. Blood flow may be lost due to a blockage or the rupture of a vessel

Chronic Lung Disease
Long term lung disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Progressive lung disease which is most commonly caused by smoking. It is characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing and a chronic cough.

Collapsed Lung
Lack of full expansion of the lung to due to an air leak.

Compensatory Sweating
Problem sweating that occurs in new areas other than the original site after a hyperhidrosis procedure.

Conduit
A vein or artery used to carry blood around the blockage in an artery.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Symptoms resulting from heart damage when inadequate contractions of the heart allow fluid to accumulate in the lungs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath on exertion, difficulty breathing while lying flat, and ankle swelling.

Coronary Angiography
The injection of a high contrast dye into the coronary arteries of the heart, to allow visualization on an x-ray.

Coronary Arteries
The arteries on/in the heart that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Coronary Artery Bypass (CAB)
A surgery in which blockage in the heart vessels is bypassed with the use of a conduit.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
The buildup of plaque on the inside of the vessels of the heart. It is also known as atherosclerosis.

CT Scan (Computerized Tomography)
This is a test that creates a three-dimensional picture of an organ or structure, as opposed to an X-ray, which is two-dimensional.

Cardiac Catheterization See coronary angiography.

Cardiovascular Disease Any type of disease involving the heart.

Cardiovascular Of or pertaining to the heart

Carotid Arteries The two main arteries located on either side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the brain.

Cautery A device that is used for sealing or cutting a vessel that prevents bleeding

Chronic Lung Disease Long term lung disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Collapsed Lung Lack of full expansion of the lung to due to an air leak.

Compensatory Sweating Problem sweating that occurs in new areas other than the original site after a hyperhidrosis procedure.

Conduit A vein or artery used to carry blood around the blockage in an artery.

Coronary Angiography The injection of a high contrast dye into the coronary arteries of the heart, to allow visualization on an x-ray.

Coronary Arteries The arteries on/in the heart that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

CT Scan (Computerized Tomography) This is a test that creates a three-dimensional picture of an organ or structure, as opposed to an X-ray, which is two-dimensional.