| decompression sickness | A disorder characterised by joint pains, respiratory manifestations, skin lesions, and neurologic signs, occurring in aviators flying at high altitudes and following rapid reduction of air pressure in persons who have been breathing compressed air in caissons and diving apparatus. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| decompression, surgical | A surgical operation for the relief of pressure in a body compartment or on a body part. (12 Dec 1998) |
| internal decompression | Removal of intracranial tissue, usually tumour or brain tissue. To relieve pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic nerve sheath decompression | A venting of the optic nerve sheath into the retrobulbar space, by slitting or by fenestrating the sheath. See: optic nerve sheath fenestration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| orbital decompression | Removal of a portion of the bony orbit, usually superior (Naffziger operation), lateral (Kronlein operation), or inferior (Ogura operation). (05 Mar 2000) |
| trigeminal decompression | Decompression of the trigeminal nerve root. (05 Mar 2000) |
| explosive decompression | Sudden severe expansion of gases due to a reduction in ambient pressure. Synonym: explosive decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abnormal heart chamber dimensions | <radiology> Left ventricular volume overload, left ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular volume overload, right ventricular hypertrophy, fixed subvalvular aortic stenosis, hypoplastic left/right ventricle; common ventricle, congestive cardiomyopathy (12 Dec 1998) |
| Abrams' heart reflex | A contraction of the myocardium when the skin of the precordial region is irritated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| american heart association | A voluntary organization concerned with the prevention and treatment of heart and vascular diseases. (12 Dec 1998) |
| apex of heart | The blunt extremity of the heart formed by the left ventricle. See: apex beat. Synonym: apex cordis, vertex cordis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| armored heart | Calcareous deposits in the pericardium due to subacute or chronic pericarditis. Synonym: panzerherz. (05 Mar 2000) |
| armor heart | Extensive to complete calcification (rarely ossification) of the pericardium usually producing constrictive pericarditis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| artificial heart | A mechanical pump used to replace the function of a damaged heart, either temporarily or as a permanent prosthesis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| artificial heart valve | <cardiology> A synthetic or porcine (pigskin) valve surgically placed into the heart to replace a defective or malfunctioning valve. The aortic and mitral valves are the most frequently replaced with artificial valves. (27 Sep 1997) |