Chapter 11: Cardiovascular System

Medical Terminology

anastomosis (pl., anastomoses) [ă-năs-tō-MŌ-sĭs (ă-năs-tō-MŌ-sēz)] {anastomosis}:

Surgical connection of two blood vessels to allow blood flow between them; surgical union of two hollow structures.

aneurysm [ĂN-yū-rĭzm] {aneurisma}:

Abnormal widening of an artery wall that bursts and releases blood; ballooning of the artery wall caused by weakness in the wall.

angi/o

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angina [ĂN-jĭ-nă, ăn-JĪ-nă] {angina}:

Angina pectoris.

angina pectoris [PĔK-tōr-ĭs, pĕk-TŌR-ĭs] {angina de pecho}:

Chest pain, usually caused by a lowered oxygen or blood supply to the heart.

angiocardiography [ăn-jē-ō-kăr-dē-ŎG-ră-fē] {angiocardiografía}:

Viewing of the heart and its major blood vessels by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium.

angiography [ăn-jē-ŎG-ră-fē] {angiografía}:

Viewing of the heart’s major blood vessels by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium.

angioplasty [ĂN-jē-ō-plăs-tē] {angioplastía}:

Opening of a blocked blood vessel, as by balloon dilation.

angioscopy [ăn-jē-ŎS-kō-pē] {Angioscopía}:

Viewing of the interior of a blood vessel using a fiberoptic catheter inserted or threaded into the vessel.

angiotensin [ăn-jē-ō-TĔN-sĭn] converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor {Enzima convertidora de angiotensina}:

Medication used for heart failure and other cardiovascular problems; acts by dilating arteries to lower blood pressure and makes heart pump easier.

antianginal [ăn-tē-ĂN-jĭ-năl] {antianginoso}:

Agent used to relieve or prevent attacks of angina.

antiarrhythmic [ăn-tē-ā-RĬTH-mĭk] {antiarrímico}:

Agent used to help normalize cardiac rhythm.

anticlotting {anticoágulo}:

Agent that prevents formation of blood clots.

anticoagulant [ĂN-tē-kō-ĂG-yū-lĕnt] {anticoagulante}:

Agent that prevents formation of dangerous blood clots.

antihypertensive [ĂN-tē-hī-per-TEN-siv] {antihipertensivo}:

Agent that helps control high blood pressure.

aort/o

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aorta [ā-ŌR-tă] {aorta}:

Largest artery of the body; artery through which blood exits the heart.

aortic [ā-ŌR-tĭk] valve {válvula aórtica}:

Valve between the aorta and the left ventricle.

aortic regurgitation [rē-GŬR-jĭ-TĀ-shŭn] {regurgitación aórtica} or reflux [RĒ-flŭks]:

Backward flow or leakage of blood through a faulty aortic valve.

aortic stenosis [ā-ŌR-tĭk stĕ-NŌ-sĭs] {estenosis aórtica}:

Narrowing of the aorta.

aortography [ā-ōr-TŎG-ră-fē] {aortografía}:

Viewing of the aorta by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium.

arrhythmia [ā-RĬTH-mē-ă] {arritmia}:

Irregularity in the rhythm of the heartbeat.

arter/o

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arteri/o

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arteriography [ăr-tēr-ē-ŎG-ră-fē] {arterografía}:

Viewing of a specific artery by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium.

arteriole [ăr-TĒ-rē-ōl] {arteriola}:

A tiny artery connecting to a capillary.

arteriosclerosis [ăr-TĒR-ē-ō-sklĕr-Ō-sĭs] {arteriosclerosis}:

Hardening of the arteries.

arteriotomy [ăr-tēr-ē-ŎT-ō-mē] {arteriotomía}:

Surgical incision into an artery, especially to remove a clot.

arteritis [ăr-tĕr-Ī-tĭs] {arteritis}:

Inflammation of an artery or arteries.

artery [ĂR-tĕr-ē] {arteria}:

A thick-walled blood vessel that, in systemic circulation, carries oxygenated blood away from the heart.

asystole [ā-SĬS-tō-lē] {asistolia}:

Cardiac arrest.

ather/o

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atherectomy [ăth-ĕ-RĔK-tō-mē] {aterectomía}:

Surgical removal of an atheroma.

atheroma [ăth-ĕr-Ō-mă] {ateroma}:

A fatty deposit (plaque) in the wall of an artery.

atherosclerosis [ĂTH-ĕr-ō-sklĕr-Ō-sĭs] {Aterosclerosis}:

Hardening of the arteries caused by the buildup of atheromas.

atri/o

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atrial fibrillation [Ā-trē-ăl fĭ-brĭ-LĀ-shŭn] {fibrilación auricular}:

An irregular, usually rapid, heartbeat caused by overstimulation of the AV node.

atrioventricular [Ā-trē-ō-vĕn-TRĬK-yū-lăr] (AV) node {nódulo auriculoventricular}:

Specialized part of the interatrial septum that sends a charge to the bundle of His.

atrioventricular block {bloqueo auriculoventricular}:

Heart block; partial or complete blockage of the electrical impulses from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles.

atrioventricular [Ā-trē-ō-vĕn-TRĬK-yū-lăr] bundle {Haz de Hiss}:

Bundle of fibers in the interventricular septum that transfers charges in the heart’s conduction system; also called bundle of His.

atrioventricular [Ā-trē-ō-vĕn-TRĬK-yū-lăr] valve {válvula auriculoventricular}:

One of two valves that control blood flow between the atria and ventricles.

atrium (pl., atria) [Ā-trē-ŭm (Ā-trē-ă)] {atrium Atrio o aurícula}:

Either of the two upper chambers of the heart.

auscultation [ăws-kŭl-TĀ-shŭn] {auscultación}:

Process of listening to body sounds via a stethoscope.

bacterial endocarditis [EN-dō-car-DĪ-tĭs] {endocarditis bacteriana}:

Bacterial inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.

balloon catheter dilation {cateter para dilatación arterial}:

Insertion of a balloon catheter into a blood vessel to open the passage so blood can flow freely.

balloon valvuloplasty [VĂL-vyū-lō-PLĂS-tē] {valvuloplastía de balón}:

Procedure that uses a balloon catheter to open narrowed orifices in cardiac valves.

beta [BĀ-tă] blocker {betabloqueador}:

Agent that lowers blood pressure by reducing contraction strength of the heart muscle; slows heartbeat.

bicuspid [bī-KŬS-pĭd] valve {válvula bicúspide}:

Atrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart.

blood [blŭd] {sangre}:

Essential fluid made up of plasma and other elements that circulates throughout the body (arteries, veins, capillaries); delivers nutrients to and removes waste from the body’s cells.

blood pressure {presión arterial}:

Measure of the force of blood surging against the walls of the arteries.

blood vessel {vaso sanguíneo}:

Any of the tubular passageways in the cardiovascular system through which blood travels.

bradycardia [brăd-ē-KĂR-dē-ă] {bradicardia}:

Heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute.

bruit [brū-Ē] {soplo}:

Sound or murmur, especially an abnormal heart sound heard on auscultation, especially of the carotid artery.

bundle of His [hĭz, hĭs] {Haz de Hiss}:

Bundle of fibers in the interventricular septum that transfers charges in the heart’s conduction system.

bypass [BĪ-pas]:

A structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood to flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in arteries.

calcium channel blocker {bloqueador de los canales del calcio}:

Medication that lessens the ability of calcium ions to enter heart and blood vessel muscle cells; used to lower blood pressure and normalize some arrhythmias

capillary [KĂP-ĭ-lār-ē] {capilar}:

A tiny blood vessel that forms the exchange point between the arterial and venous vessels.

carbon dioxide (CO2) {dióxido de carbono}:

Waste material transported in the venous blood.

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cardiac arrest {paro cardíaco}:

Sudden stopping of the heart; also called asystole.

cardiac catheterization [kăth-ĕ-tĕr-ī-ZĀ-shŭn] {cateterización cardíaca}:

Process of passing a thin catheter through an artery or vein to the heart to take blood samples, inject a contrast medium, or measure various pressures.

cardiac cycle {ciclo cardíaco}:

Repeated contraction and relaxation of the heart as it circulates blood within itself and pumps it out to the rest of the body or the lungs.

cardiac enzyme tests/studies {estudio de las enzimas cardíacas}:

Blood tests for determining levels of enzymes during a myocardial infarction; serum enzyme tests.

cardiac MRI {resonancia magnética nuclear cardíaca}:

Viewing of the heart by magnetic resonance imaging.

cardiac scan {escan cardíaco}:

Process of viewing the heart muscle at work by scanning the heart of a patient into whom a radioactive substance has been injected.

cardiac tamponade [tăm-pō-NĀD] {taponamiento cardíaco}:

Compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac.

cardiologist [KĂR-dē-ŎL-ō-jĭst] {cardiólogo}:

Physician specializing in the study and treatment of diseases of the heart.

cardiomyopathy [KĂR-dē-ō-mī-ŎP-ă-thē] {cardiomiopatía}:

Disease of the heart muscle.

cardiopulmonary [KĂR-dē-ō-PŬL-mŏ-nār-ē] bypass {bypas cardiopulmonar}:

Procedure used during surgery to divert blood flow to and from the heart through a heart-lung machine and back into circulation.

cardiotonic [KĂR-dē-ō-TŎN-ĭk] {cardiotónico}:

Medication for congestive heart failure; increases the force of contractions of the myocardium.

cardiovascular [KĂR-dē-ō-VĂS-kyū-lĕr]:

Relating to or affecting the heart and blood vessels.

carotid [kă-RŎT-ĭd] artery {arteria carótida}:

Artery that transports oxygenated blood to the head and neck.

cholesterol [kō-LĔS-tĕr-ōl] {colesterol}:

Fatty substance present in animal fats; cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream, sometimes causing arterial plaque to form.

claudication [klăw-dĭ-KĀ-shŭn] {claudicación}:

Limping caused by inadequate blood supply during activity; usually subsides during rest.

coarctation [kō-ărk-TĀ-shŭn] of the aorta {coartación de la aorta}:

Abnormal narrowing of the aorta.

conduction system {sistema de conducción}:

Part of the heart containing specialized tissue that sends charges through heart fibers, causing the heart to contract and relax at regular intervals.

congenital [kŏn-JĔN-Ĭ-tăl] heart disease {enfermedad cardíaca congestiva}:

Heart disease (usually a type of malformation) that exists at birth.

congestive [kŏn-JĔS-tĭv] heart failure {enfermedad cardíaca congestiva}:

Inability of the heart to pump enough blood out during the cardiac cycle; collection of fluid in the lungs results.

constriction [kŏn-STRĬK-shŭn] {constricción}:

Compression or narrowing caused by contraction, as of a vessel.

coronary [KŌR-ō-nār-ē] artery {arteria coronaria}:

Blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

coronary angioplasty [ĂN-jē-ō-plăs-tē] {angioplastía coronaria}:

Opening of a blocked blood vessel, as by balloon dilation.

coronary bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) {cirugía de bypas coronario o injerto coronario}:

A structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood to flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in arteries.

coronary artery disease (CAD) {enfermedad cardíaca coronaria}:

Condition that reduces the flow of blood and nutrients through the arteries of the heart.

coronary bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) {cirugía de bypas coronario o injerto coronario}:

A structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood to flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in arteries.

cyanosis [sī-ă-NŌ-sĭs] {cianosis}:

Bluish or purplish coloration, as of the skin, caused by inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

deep vein thrombosis [thrŏm-BŌ-sĭs] {trombosis venosa profunda}:

Formation of a thrombus (clot) in a deep vein, such as a femoral vein.

depolarization [dē-pō-lă-rĭ-ZĀ-shŭn] {despolarización}:

Contracting state of the myocardial tissue in the heart’s conduction system.

diastole [dī-ĂS-tō-lē] {Diástole}:

Relaxation phase of a heartbeat.

digital subtraction angiography (DSA) {angiografía de sustracción digital}:

Use of two angiograms done with different dyes to provide a comparison between the results.

diuretic [dī-yū-RĔT-ĭk] {diurético}:

Pharmacological agent that increases urination; medication that promotes the excretion of urine.

Doppler ultrasound [DŎP-lĕr ŬL-tră-sownd]:

Measures blood flow in certain blood vessels.

ductus arteriosus [DŬK-tŭs ăr-tēr-ē-Ō-sŭs] {ducto arterioso}:

Structure in the fetal circulatory system through which blood flows to bypass the fetus’s nonfunctioning lungs.

ductus venosus [DŬK-tŭs vĕn-Ō-sŭs] {ducto venoso}:

Structure in the fetal circulatory system through which blood flows to bypass the fetal liver.

dysrhythmia [dĭs-RĬTH-mē-ă] {disrritmia}:

Abnormal heart rhythm.

echocardiogram [ĕk-ō-KĂR-dē-ō-grăm]:

Use of sound waves to produce images showing the structure and motion of the heart.

echocardiography [ĔK-ō-kăr-dē-ŎG-ră-fē]:

The process of recording the size, motion, and composition of the heart.

ejection fraction {fracción de eyección}:

Percentage of the volume of the contents of the left ventricle ejected with each contraction.

electrocardiography [ē-lĕk-trō-kăr-dē-ŎG-ră-fē] {electrocardiografía}:

Use of the electrocardiograph in diagnosis.

embolectomy [ĕm-bō-LĔK-tō-mē] {embolectomía}:

Surgical removal of an embolus.

embolus [ĔM-bō-lŭs] {émbolo}:

Mass of foreign material blocking a vessel; clot from somewhere in the body that blocks a small blood vessel in the brain.