| right ventricular failure | An weakening of the right ventricle that results in the back up of blood in the venous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract and extremities. The causes of this condition include left-sided congestive heart failure, emphysema, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, anaemia, hyperthyroidism, cor pulmonale and congenital heart disease. Risk factors include diabetes, alcoholism, obesity and smoking. Symptoms include swelling of the feet and ankles, nocturia, increased distention of neck veins, fatigue, weakness and fainting, Ascites, arrhythmias and pleural effusions are complications of right ventricular failure. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| chronic kidney failure | Chronic renal failure represents a slow decline in kidney function over time. Chronic renal failure may be caused by a number of disorders which include long-standing hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lupus or sickle cell anaemia. If renal function declines to a low enough level (end-stage renal disease) kidney dialysis may be necessary. A sudden decline in renal function may be triggered by a number of acute disease processes. Examples include sepsis (infection), shock, trauma, kidney stones, kidney infection, drug toxicity (aspirin or lithium), poisons or toxins (drug abuse) or after injection with an iodinated contrast dye (adverse effect). Both forms of renal failure result in a life-threatening metabolic derangement. (27 Sep 1997) |
| chronic renal failure | <nephrology> Chronic renal failure represents a slow decline in kidney function over time. Chronic renal failure may be caused by a number of disorders which include long-standing hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lupus or sickle cell anaemia. If renal function declines to a low enough level (end-stage renal disease) kidney dialysis may be necessary. A sudden decline in renal function may be triggered by a number of acute disease processes. Examples include sepsis (infection), shock, trauma, kidney stones, kidney infection, drug toxicity (aspirin or lithium), poisons or toxins (drug abuse) or after injection with an iodinated contrast dye (adverse effect). Both forms of renal failure result in a life-threatening metabolic derangement. (27 Sep 1997) |
| multiple organ failure | A progressive condition usually characterised by combined failure of the lungs, liver, kidney, and clotting mechanisms, usually postinjury or postoperative. (12 Dec 1998) |
| coronary failure | Acute coronary insufficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| power failure | Synonym: pump failure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hepatic failure | A condition of severe end-stage liver dysfunction that is accompanied by a decline in mental status that may range from confusion (hepatic encephalopathy) to unresponsiveness (hepatic coma). Other features include a mousy odour to the breath, difficulty with balance and walking, tremor and impaired speech. (27 Sep 1997) |
| prosthesis failure | Malfunction of implantation shunts, valves, etc., and prosthesis loosening, migration, and breaking. (12 Dec 1998) |
| high output failure | Heart failure in which, despite relative myocardial insufficiency and consequent congestive heart failure, the cardiac output is maintained at normal or supernormal levels, as is sometimes seen in emphysema, thyrotoxicosis, etc. (05 Mar 2000) |
| secondary failure | Failure of the function of an organ as a result of antecedent pathology elsewhere, decreasing responsiveness to a drug after an initial satisfactory response, usually occurring several months after initiation of treatment. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pump failure | A term used to emphasize mechanical default of the heart as a pump; in acute myocardial infarction, pump failure signifies congestive heart failure, pulmonary oedema, or cardiogenic shock. Compare: electrical failure. Synonym: power failure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dental restoration failure | Inability or inadequacy of a dental restoration or prosthesis to perform as expected. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ovarian failure, premature | Premature failure of ovulation associated with hypergonadotropinism and hypoestrogenism in women under the age of 40. The aetiology appears to be multifactorial and many cases are idiopathic. When follicles are present but the ovaries are unable to respond to gonadotropins, resistant ovary syndrome results and this may be associated with autoimmune disease. Even when there is a loss of ovarian follicles, it is not always complete. Permanent and irreversible loss of follicles is termed premature menopause (menopause, premature). (12 Dec 1998) |
| electrical failure | Failure in which the cardiac inadequacy is secondary to disturbance of the electrical impulse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| treatment failure | A measure of the quality of health care by assessing the unsuccessful results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease. (12 Dec 1998) |