| premature ventricular contractions | Contractions of the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles, which occur earlier than usual, because of abnormal electrical activity of the ventricles. The premature contraction is followed by a pause, as the heart electrical system resets itself and the contraction following the pause is usually more forceful than normal. These more forceful contractions are frequently perceived as palpitations. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| heart septal defects, ventricular | Congenital defects in the septum between the cardiac ventricles, most often due to failure of the bulbar septum to completely close the interventricular foramen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| septal defect, ventricular | A hole in the interventricular septum, the wall between the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. Commonly called a vsd. Vsds are a common class of heart deformity that is present at birth (congenital cardiac malformation). (12 Dec 1998) |
| septum, ventricular | The wall between the two lower chambers (the right and left ventricles) of the heart. (12 Dec 1998) |
| 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) |
| hypertrophy, right ventricular | Enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart. This increase in ventricular mass is often attributed to pulmonary hypertension and is a contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| defect, ventricular septal | Hole in the interventricular septum, the wall between the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). Commonly called a VSD. VSDs are a common class of heart deformity present at birth (congenital cardiac malformation). (17 Dec 1998) |
| inferior ventricular vein | Vein draining the deep white matter of the superior and lateral portions of the temporal lobe; it begins in the body of the lateral ventricle and exits from the choroid fissure of the inferior horn where it joins the basal vein. Synonym: inferior ventricular vein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tachycardia, ventricular | An abnormal heart rhythm that is rapid, regular and originates from an area of the ventricle, the lower chamber of the heart. Ventricular tachycardias are life threatening arrhythmias most commonly associated with heart attacks or scarring of the heart muscle from previous heart attack. (12 Dec 1998) |
| escape ventricular contraction | An escape beat arising in the ventricle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrillation, ventricular | An abnormal irregular heart rhythm whereby there are very rapid uncoordinated fluttering contractions of the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. Venticular fibrillation disrupts the synchrony between the heartbeat and the pulse beat. Ventricular fibrillation is commonly associated with heart attacks or scarring of the heart muscle from previous heart attack. Ventricular fibrillation is life threatening. (12 Dec 1998) |
| left-ventricular assist device | Mechanical pump inserted at some point in the circulation to parallel the activity of the left ventricle and thereby reduce its load. (05 Mar 2000) |
| left ventricular ejection time | The time measured clinically from onset to incisural notch of the carotid or other pulse; properly the time of ejection of blood from the left ventricle beginning with aortic valve opening and ending with aortic valve closure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| left ventricular failure | <cardiology> A disorder where the left side of the heart fails to pump blood effectively. This results in a back flow (and pressure) and congestion of blood into the lungs. The causes of this condition include, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, anaemia, hyperthyroidism, atrial myxoma, drug toxicity and congenital heart disease. Risk factors include diabetes, alcoholism, obesity and smoking. Symptoms include increasing shortness of breath with activity and while lying flat. Other symptoms include cough, palpitations, fatigue, decreased urine production and waking in the middle of the nigh with difficulty breathing. Complications include pulmonary oedema, arrhythmias and pleural effusion. (27 Sep 1997) |
| left ventricular hypertrophy | <radiology> Coarctation, aortic stenosis (12 Dec 1998) |