| intra-aortic balloon | An externally and intermittently inflatable balloon placed into the descending aorta and which, on activation during diastole, augments blood pressure and organ perfusion by its pulsatile thrust; then, on deflation, decreases the cardiac work with each systole-the so-called counterpulsation principle-by reducing cardiac afterload. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| intra-aortic balloon pump | <cardiology, equipment> A device which is threaded into the aorta that augments the strength of the hearts contraction. The counter pulsation, produced by the inflation of a balloon within the aorta, provides an rhythmic increase in aortic pressures. The net effect is an increase in coronary artery blood flow. Intra-aortic balloon pump is a temporary lifesaving measure that is used to treat severe cardiac damage due to a massive heart attack. (27 Sep 1997) |
| intra-aortic balloon pumping | Counterpulsation in which a pumping unit synchronised with the patient's electrocardiogram rapidly fills a balloon in the aorta with helium or carbon dioxide in early diastole and evacuates the balloon at the onset of systole. As the balloon inflates, it raises aortic diastolic pressure, and as it deflates, it lowers aortic systolic pressure. The result is a decrease in left ventricular work and increased myocardial and peripheral perfusion. (12 Dec 1998) |
| thoracic aortic aneurysm | <radiology> Normal size: 4-5 cm, most aneurysms rupture when more than 10 cm, mean age: 65 years; M:F = 3:1 associated with: hypertension, coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms: substernal, back, shoulder pain (25%), superior vena cava syndrome, dysphagia, stridor, dyspnea, hoarseness see: aortic aneurysm (12 Dec 1998) |
| thoracic aortic plexus | An autonomic plexus surrounding the thoracic aorta and passing with it through the aortic opening in the diaphragm, to become continuous with the abdominal aortic plexus. Synonym: plexus aorticus thoracicus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial aortic ectasia | <cardiology, syndrome> The concurrence as an autosomal dominant trait of bicuspid aortic valve often with premature calcification, ectasia and dissection of the aorta and, rarely, coarctation of the aorta. Superficially resembles the Marfan's syndrome. Synonym: familial aortic ectasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial aortic ectasia syndrome | <cardiology, syndrome> The concurrence as an autosomal dominant trait of bicuspid aortic valve often with premature calcification, ectasia and dissection of the aorta and, rarely, coarctation of the aorta. Superficially resembles the Marfan's syndrome. Synonym: familial aortic ectasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Babes' nodes | Collections of lymphocytes in the central nervous system found in rabies. (05 Mar 2000) |
| big axillary nodes and normal breasts | <radiology> Consider: lymphoma, leukaemia, rheumatoid arthritis (12 Dec 1998) |
| ranvier's nodes | Regularly spaced gaps in the myelin sheaths of peripheral axons. Ranvier's nodes allow saltatory conduction, that is, jumping of impulses from node to node, which is faster and more energetically favourable than continuous conduction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mandibular nodes | One of the facial lymph nodes located by the facial artery near the point it crosses the mandible. Synonym: nodus mandibularis, mandibular nodes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parietal nodes | The lymph nodes draining the walls of the abdomen or of the pelvis. Synonym: nodi lymphatici parietales, parietal nodes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| visceral nodes | The lymph nodes draining the viscera of the abdomen or of the pelvis. Synonym: nodi viscerales, visceral nodes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retropyloric nodes | A group of lymph nodes located behind the pylorus. Synonym: nodi retropylorici, retropyloric nodes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| milkers' nodes | An infection of cows' udders by pseudocowpox virus, a member of the Poxviridae, that is transmitted to the fingers and hands of milkers, producing nodules and lymphangitis, and occasionally widespread papular or papulovesicular eruptions; human infection is transferable to uninfected cows. Synonym: milkers' nodes, paravaccinia, pseudocowpox. (05 Mar 2000) |