| 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) |
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| 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) |
| abnormal cleavage of cardiac valve | Congenital malformation of a valve leaflet with a defect extending from the free margin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Amussat's valve | A series of crescentic folds of mucous membrane in the upper part of the cystic duct, arranged in a somewhat spiral manner. Synonym: plica spiralis ductus cystici, Amussat's valve, Heister's valve, spiral valve of cystic duct, valvula spiralis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior cusp of atrioventricular valve | The anterior leaflet or valvule of either the tricuspid or mitral valves. Synonym: cuspis anterior valvae atrioventricularis dextrae/sinistrae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior urethral valve | A crescentic horizontal fold in the proximal spongy urethra. (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) |
| ball valve | Any of a variety of prosthetic cardiac valve's comprised of a ball within a retaining cage affixed to the orifice; when appropriately sized, used in aortic, mitral, or tricuspid position. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ball valve action | The intermittent blockage of a tube or outlet of a cavity by some object or material that permits passage in one direction but not in the other. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ball-valve thrombus | Ball thrombus intermittently occluding the mitral or tricuspid orifice. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bauhin's valve | The bilabial prominence of the terminal ileum into the large intestine at the caecocolic junction as seen in cadavers; in the living individual it appears as a truncated cone with a star-shaped orifice. Synonym: valva ileocaecalis, Bauhin's valve, ileocaecal eminence, ileocolic valve, Tulp's valve, Tulpius' valve, valve of Varolius. (05 Mar 2000) |