| ventricular assist device | A device that supports or replaces the function of a ventricle (LVAD or RVAD indicates which ventricle). The patient's heart remains in place when this device or system is used. The device is used in patients with potentially salvageable myocardium, where centrifugal or pneumatic devices can be placed in either heterotopic or orthotopic positions (the latter is termed a total artificial heart). The function of either the left, right, or both ventricles can thus be supported for days to weeks. Either recovery of heart function or need for transplantation then becomes apparent. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ventricular band of larynx | One of the pair of folds of mucous membrane stretching across the laryngeal cavity from the angle of the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage; they enclose a space called the rima vestibuli or false glottis. Synonym: plica vestibularis, false vocal cord, plica ventricularis, ventricular band of larynx, ventricular fold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular bigeminy | Paired ventricular beats, the common form consisting of ventricular extrasystoles coupled to sinus beats. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular bradycardia | Slowness of ventricular rate, usually implying the presence of atrioventricular block. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular capture | Capture of the ventricle(s) by an impulse arising in the atria or A-V junction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular complex | The continuous QRST waves of each beat in the electrocardiogram. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular conduction | Conduction of the cardiac impulse through the ventricular myocardium, represented by the QRS complex in the electrocardiogram. H-R conduction time is from the onset of the first high frequency component of the His bundle electrogram to the onset of the QRS complex of the surface electrocardiogram (normally 43 ± 12 msec); H-V conduction time is from the onset of the first high frequency component of the His bundle electrogram to the onset of the ventricular electrogram (normally approximates the H-R interval but may be a little shorter). Synonym: ventricular conduction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular diastole | Period of relaxation and repolarization of the ventricular muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular diverticulum | A congenital outpouching of the right or left ventricle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular dysfunction | A condition in which the ventricles of the heart exhibit a decreased functionality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| 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 dysfunction, right | A condition in which the right 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 right ventricular wall. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ventricular extrasystole | A premature contraction of the ventricle. Synonym: infranodal extrasystole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular fibrillation | <cardiology> A disorganised chaotic contraction of the ventricle that fails to effectively eject blood from the ventricle. During ventricular fibrillation the patient is unconscious and will die if emergency intervention is not undertaken (defibrillation). (12 Jan 1998) |
| ventricular filling pressure | The pressure in the ventricle as it fills with blood, ordinarily equivalent to the mean atrial pressure when there is no A-V valvular gradient. Atrial pressure can be used in place of transmural pressure because pericardial pressure usually varies between -2 and +2 mm Hg and hence is negligible. During cardiac tamponade, pericardial and atrial pressures equilibrate so that transmural pressure is zero and the high atrial presures cannot be "filling" pressures. (05 Mar 2000) |