GLOSSARY: V TERMS

Vagal maneuvers

Stimulate the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which inhibits atrioventricular nodal conduction. Examples of vagal maneuvers include cough, carotid sinus massage, and Valsalva.

Vagotomy

A surgical procedure that blocks vagal (cholinergic) stimulation to the stomach.

Valsalva maneuver

Vagal maneuver; patient bears down against a closed glottis, as if they were having a bowel movement.

Valvular heart disease

Damage or defects in one or more of the heart valves, disrupting blood flow into and out of the heart. The most common valves affected are the aortic and mitral valves. Valvular stenosis is a narrowing of the valve opening restricting the forward flow of blood. Valvular regurgitation or insufficiency occurs when there is inadequate closure of the valve leaflets leading to blood “leaking” backward.

Variceal bleeding

Varices are weak collateral blood vessels that are friable and rupture easily; often observed in the esophagus or stomach.

Vasculitis

Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels.

Vasomotor symptoms

-Menopausal symptoms that include both hot flashes (flushes) and night sweats for which women most commonly seek therapy.

-Menopausal symptoms that include both hot flashes and night sweats.

Vasopressors

Medications that cause constriction of blood vessels, increase in vascular resistance, and increase in blood pressure.

Vasospasm

Narrowing (constriction) of a blood vessel causing a reduction in blood flow.

Vegetation

Infectious mass comprised of protein, cellular components, and microorganisms attached to the endocardial surface of a heart valve which may be visualized on an echocardiogram.

Ventilation/perfusion ratio (VA /Q)

A comparison of the proportion of lung tissue being ventilated by inhaled air to the rate of oxygenation of pulmonary blood.

Ventricular depolarization

Change in the membrane potential of a ventricular myocyte, resulting in loss of polarization. Under normal conditions, depolarization of ventricular myo cytes is followed by ventricular contraction.

Vertigo

Sensation of spinning or feeling out of balance.

Vesicants

Chemotherapy drugs that cause significant tissue damage if extravasation occurs.

Virilization

Production or acquisition of virilism, which is mas culine characteristics.

Viscoelastic testing

Point-of-care testing devices utilizing thromboelastography principles to evaluate clot formation and dissolution.

Volvulus

Twisting of the intestine causing obstruction and possible necrosis.

Vulvovaginal atrophy

Thinning of vaginal tissue due to a lack of estrogen stimulation.

Vomiting

A reflexive rapid and forceful oral expulsion of upper gastrointestinal contents due to powerful and sustained con tractions in the abdominal and thoracic musculature.