| 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) |
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| 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) |