| AFORMED | alternating failure of response, mechanical, [to] electrical depolarization |
|---|---|
| AHRF | acute hypoxemic respiratory failure; American Hearing Research Foundation |
| ALF | acute liver failure; American Liver Foundation; assisted living facilities |
| ALVF | acute left ventricular failure |
| APORF | acute postoperative renal failure |
| heart rupture | Laceration or tearing of the walls of the heart, of the interatrial or interventricular septum, of the papillary muscles or chordae tendineae, or of any of the valves of the heart. Rupture may be due to a variety of pathological entities, however, the majority are secondary to myocardial infarction (heart rupture, post-infarction). (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| heart rupture, post-infarction | Rupture of the heart after myocardial infarction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart sac | <anatomy> A double membranous sac which envelops and protects the heart. The layer in contact with the heart is referred to as the visceral layer, the outer layer in contact with surrounding organs is the parietal pericardium. In between the two layers is the pericardial space. (27 Sep 1997) |
| heart's-ease | 1. Ease of heart; peace or tranquillity of mind or feeling. 2. <botany> A species of violet (Viola tricolour); called also pansy. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| heart septal defects | Defects in the cardiac septa, resulting in abnormal communications between the opposite chambers of the heart. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart septal defects, atrial | Defects in the septum between the atria of the heart, due to failure of fusion between either the septum secundum or the septum primum and the endocardial cushions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart septal defects, ventricular | Congenital defects in the septum between the cardiac ventricles, most often due to failure of the bulbar septum to completely close the interventricular foramen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart septum | The thin membranous structure between the two heart atria or the thick muscular structure between the two heart ventricles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart-shaped pelvis | Cordiform pelvis, a pelvis with sacrum projecting forward between the ilia, giving to the brim a heart shape. Synonym: heart-shaped pelvis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heart-shaped uterus | An incomplete uterus bicornis with a wedge-shaped depression at the fundus. Synonym: heart-shaped uterus, uterus cordiformis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heart sounds | The sounds heard over the cardiac region produced by the functioning of the heart. There are four distinct sounds: the first occurs at the beginning of systole and is heard as a "lubb" sound; the second is produced by the closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves and is heard as a "dupp" sound; the third is produced by vibrations of the ventricular walls when suddenly distended by the rush of blood from the atria; and the fourth is produced by atrial contraction and ventricular filling but is rarely audible in the normal heart. The physiological concept of heart sounds is differentiated from the pathological heart murmurs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heart-spoon | A part of the breastbone. "He feeleth through the herte-spon the pricke." (Chaucer) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| heart stroke | Impact of the apex of the heart against the wall of the chest. Synonym: angina pectoris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heart tamponade | Interference with the venous return of blood to the heart due to an extensive accumulation of blood in the pericardium (pericardial effusion). Tamponade may occur as a complication of dissecting thoracic aneurysm, pericarditis, renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease (for example lupus), chest trauma or a malignancy. Fluid in the pericardial sac is demonstrated by echocardiogram. Treatment involves the emergent removal of the fluid. This may be accomplished by a needle aspiration technique or emergency surgery (pericardial window). (27 Sep 1997) |
| heart tones | The sounds heard over the cardiac region produced by the functioning of the heart. There are four distinct sounds: the first occurs at the beginning of systole and is heard as a "lubb" sound; the second is produced by the closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves and is heard as a "dupp" sound; the third is produced by vibrations of the ventricular walls when suddenly distended by the rush of blood from the atria; and the fourth is produced by atrial contraction and ventricular filling but is rarely audible in the normal heart. The physiological concept of heart sounds is differentiated from the pathological heart murmurs. (12 Dec 1998) |