| atrial function, left | The haemodynamic and electrophysiological action of the left atrium. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| auricle of left atrium | The small conical projection from the left atrium of the heart. Synonym: auricula sinistra, left auricular appendage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bilateral left-sidedness | A syndrome in which normally unpaired organs develop more symmetrically in mirror image; two spleens, one on each side, are usually present, and cardiovascular anomalies are common. Synonym: polysplenia syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cardiac notch of left lung | The notch in the anterior border of the superior lobe of the left lung which accommodates the pericardium. Synonym: incisura cardiaca pulmonis sinistri. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular dysfunction, left | A condition in which the left ventricle of the heart exhibits a decreased functionality. This decreased function could lead to congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction, among other cardiovascular diseases. Diagnostic measurements that indicate this condition include a diminished ejection fraction and a depressed level of motility of the left ventricular wall. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ventricular function, left | The haemodynamic and electrophysiological action of the left ventricle. Its measurement is an important aspect of the clinical evaluation of patients with heart disease to determine the effects of the disease on cardiac performance. (12 Dec 1998) |
| right or left lateral decubitus film | A radiograph exposed with the subject in the decubitus position; named for the side that is dependent. Synonym: right or left lateral decubitus film. (05 Mar 2000) |
| right-to-left shunt | The passage of blood from the right side of the heart into the left (as through a septal defect), or from the pulmonary artery into the aorta (as through a patent ductus arteriosus); such a shunt can occur only when the pressure on the right side exceeds that in the left, as in advanced pulmonic stenosis, or when the pulmonary artery pressure exceeds aortic pressure, as in one form of Eisenmenger's syndrome or in tricuspid atresia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior vein of left ventricle | Arises on the diaphragmatic surface of the heart near the apex, runs to the left and parallel to the posterior interventricular sulcus, and empties in the coronary sinus. Synonym: vena posterior ventriculi sinistri. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heart bypass, left | Diversion of the flow of blood from the pulmonary veins directly to the aorta, avoiding the left atrium and the left ventricle. This is a temporary procedure usually performed to assist other surgical procedures. (12 Dec 1998) |
| shift to the left | A marked increase in the percentage of immature cells in the circulating blood, based on the premise in haematology that the bone marrow with its immature myeloid cells is on the left, while the circulating blood with its mature neutrophils is on the right. Synonym: deviation to the left. See: maturation index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shunt, left to right | A term used to describe the diversion of blood from the higher pressure left side of the heart to the right side (pulmonary circuit). Can be seen in ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus (congenital at birth). (27 Sep 1997) |
| shunt, right to left | <cardiology> A term used to describe the diversion of blood from the right side of the heart to the left. Long standing left to right shunts can lead to increased right sided pressures in the pulmonary circuit (pulmonary hypertension). Eventually the left to right shunt reverses and blood flows from the right to the left. Can be seen in large untreated ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect. (27 Sep 1997) |
| hypertrophy, left ventricular | Enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart. This increase in ventricular mass is attributed to sustained abnormal pressure or volume loads and is a contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hypoplastic left heart syndrome | <syndrome> Underdevelopment of the left side of the heart characterised by: aortic valve atresia, hypoplastic ascending aorta, hypoplastic/atretic mitral valve, endocardial fibroelastosis most common cause of congestive heart failure in neonate, 25% of cardiac deaths in 1st week of life, prognosis: 100% fatal by 6 weeks haemodynamics: pulmonary venous return is diverted from LA to RA through atrial septal defect, RV supplies pulmonary artery, ductus arteriosus, descending aorta (antegrade flow), aortic arch, ascending aorta, coronary circulation (retrograde flow), leads to RV work overload and congestive heart failure Treatment: Norwood procedure (palliative), transplant (12 Dec 1998) |