From Canvas (Treatment Vocabulary) - Unit 6: The Circulatory System

Angiography or angiocardiography

X-ray visualization of the internal anatomy of the heart and blood vessels after introducing a radiopaque substance (contrast medium) into an artery or vein; promotes imaging of internal structures otherwise difficult to see on X-ray film.

Echocardiography

Diagnostic procedure for studying the structure and motion of the heart; useful in evaluating structural and functional changes in a variety of heart disorders.

Electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG)

Graphic record of the electrical action of the heart as reflected from various angles to the surface of the skin.

Exercise stress testing

A means of assessing cardiac function by subjecting the patient to carefully controlled amounts of physical stress, for example, using a treadmill.

Holter monitoring

Small, portable monitoring device that makes prolonged, continuous electrocardiograph (ambulatory EKG) recordings on a portable magnetic tape recorder while the patient conducts normal daily activities.

Event monitor

Similar to a Holter monitor in that it records the heart's electrical activity during usual daily activities, but it can be used for a longer period of time—usually a month.

Telemetry

Procedure used to monitor a patient’s heart rate and rhythm in the hospital; the patient wears electrodes attached to a device that transmits data directly to an ECG.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

Small, lightweight, electronic device placed under the skin or muscle in either the chest or abdomen to monitor the heart’s rhythm; if an abnormal rhythm occurs, it helps return the heart to a normal rhythm.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The use of a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce images of the heart, large blood vessels, brain, and soft tissue; used to examine the aorta, detect masses/tumors, evaluate pericardial disease, and show blood flow and the beating heart.

Serum Lipid

A test that measures the amount of fatty substances (cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins) in a sample of blood obtained by venipuncture.

Thallium Stress

A combination of exercise stress testing with thallium imaging used to assess changes in coronary blood flow during exercise.