Cardiothoracic Surgery Glossary
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Here's a comprehensive guide to common heart-related terms, including cardiac conditions and treatments.
Anatomy of the Heart and Circulatory System
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, the aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Aortic valve
A heart valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the aorta.
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.
Atrium
The two upper chambers of the heart. They receive blood and act as reservoirs.
Blood flow (circulation)
Blood moving throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing carbon dioxide and waste products. Your heart is the pump that drives this process.
Congenital
A heart condition that is present at birth.
Coronary arteries
The arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Endocardium
The inner membrane of the heart that lines the chambers and valves.
Internal mammary artery
An artery in the chest often used in bypass surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
Mitral valve
A valve in the heart that controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle.
Myocardium
The muscle layer of the heart. It is responsible for making the heart contract.
Pericardium
a thin, fluid-filled sac that surrounds and protects the heart.
Pulmonary valve
A heart valve that controls blood flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
Saphenous vein
A vein in the leg often used for grafts in bypass surgery.
Septum
a wall of tissue separating the right and left sides of the heart.
Sinus rhythm
The normal beating rhythm of the heart.
Tricuspid valve
A valve in the heart that controls blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle.
Valve (Heart Valve)
A structure in the heart that ensures blood flows in the right direction. They have flaps, or cusps, that open and close. The heart has four valves: the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves.
Varicose veins
Swollen, twisted veins, often visible under the skin, typically in the legs.
Veins
Blood vessels that return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart and lungs.
Ventricle
One of the two lower chambers of the heart. They contract to pump blood to the lungs or the rest of the body.
Heart Conditions
Angina pectoris
Chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. It may consist of heaviness in the chest, a burning sensation or discomfort in the left arm, and, in some cases, a pain in the left jaw.
Aortic Aneurysm
A bulge that forms in the wall of the aorta. Aortic aneurysms can rupture and cause internal bleeding and cut off the blood supply from the heart to the body.
Arrhythmia
An irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias can be harmless or potentially life-threatening.
Atrial fibrillation (a-fib)
An irregular and often fast heartbeat that can cause symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
A hole in the wall (septum) between the heart's two upper chambers (atria) that is present at birth.
Chronic total occlusion (CTO)
a complete or nearly complete blockage of one or more coronary arteries.
Coronary artery disease
A condition where the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the heart.
Heart attack
A serious event caused by blood flow to the heart becoming blocked, cutting off oxygen to the heart and damaging the heart muscle. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.
Heart failure
A condition where the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should, causing symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath.
Hypertension
High blood pressure, a condition where the force of blood against artery walls is too high.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
A thickening of the heart muscle (myocardium).
Ischemia
A lack of blood flow and oxygen to a part of the body.
Myocardial infarction
The medical term for a heart attack.
Regurgitation
When blood leaks backward through a heart valve instead of moving forward as it should.
Rheumatic heart disease
A condition caused by rheumatic fever that damages the heart valves.
Stenosis
Narrowing of a blood vessel or heart valve, which can restrict blood flow.
STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction)
a life-threatening type of heart attack caused by a completely blocked coronary artery, or chronic total occlusion (CTO).
Syncope
A sudden loss of consciousness, often called fainting.
Tetralogy of Fallot
A congenital heart condition made up of four different heart problems: a hole in the septum (ventricular septal defect), a mislocated aorta (overriding aorta), a narrow pulmonary valve (pulmonary stenosis), and a thickening of the right ventricle (right ventricular hypertrophy).
Heart Care Providers
Cardiologist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart problems.
Cardiac surgeon
A doctor who specializes in performing surgeries on the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
Cardiothoracic surgeon
A doctor who performs surgeries on the heart, lungs, and other organs in the chest.
Perfusionist
A medical professional who operates equipment that temporarily takes over for a patient's heart and lungs during surgery.
Physician assistant (PA)
A medical professional who works with doctors to provide care.
Diagnostic Exams
Angiogram
An X-ray test that uses a special dye to show blood flow through the arteries, often to check for blockages.
Echocardiogram (ECHO)
An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart to check its structure and function.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart to check for irregular rhythms or other issues.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An imaging test that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan
an imaging test to check organ function and blood flow.
SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) Scan
A type of imaging test that shows blood flow to tissues and organs.
Stress test
A test to see how the heart works during physical activity or stress.
Surgical Terms
Anesthesia
Medicine used to prevent pain during surgery or other procedures. It can make you sleep (general anesthesia) or numb a specific area (local or regional anesthesia).
Angioplasty (balloon angioplasty)
A procedure to open blocked or narrowed arteries. A small balloon is inflated inside the artery to improve blood flow.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Medicines that prevent blood clots.
Cardiac catheterization (cath)
A procedure where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel to check how well the heart and blood vessels are working, or to access the heart for procedures.
Catheter
A thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel.
Chest drainage tubes
Tubes placed in the chest to drain fluid, blood, or air after surgery.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
A surgery to improve blood flow to the heart by creating new routes around blocked arteries using healthy blood vessels from other parts of the body.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): a life support machine that temporarily takes over the function of a patient's heart and lungs
Endotracheal tube (ETT): A tube placed in the windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe during surgery.
Foley catheter: A tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
Heart-lung machine
A device used during some surgeries to take over the function of the heart and lungs.
Heart monitor
A device that tracks your heart rate and rhythm.
Heart transplant
Surgery to replace a patient's damaged heart with a healthy heart from a donor.
Intravenous (IV) lines
Thin tubes placed into a vein to deliver fluids, medicines, or nutrition.
Mechanical valves
Artificial valves made of durable materials like metal or plastic that are used to replace damaged heart valves.
Median sternotomy
A surgical technique where the chest is opened through an incision along the breastbone to access the heart.
Minimally invasive heart surgery
Heart surgery performed through small incisions instead of a large chest opening.
Off-pump or beating-heart surgery
Heart surgery performed while the heart is still beating, without the use of a heart-lung machine.
Pacemaker
An implanted device that sends electrical pulses to the heart to stabilize the rhythm of the heart's beating.
Robotic heart surgery
a minimally invasive surgical approach that uses robotic arms and cameras guided by the surgeon.
Ross procedure
Used to treat severe aortic valve disease, this surgery replaces a diseased aortic valve with a patient's pulmonary valve, which is replaced with a donor valve.
Same-Day patient
A patient who comes in for a procedure and goes home the same day.
Swan-Ganz catheter
A special catheter used to measure pressures in the heart and lungs.
Tissue valve
A heart valve made from animal or human tissue used to replace a damaged valve.
Ventricular assist device (VAD)
A mechanical device implanted in the chest to help the heart pump blood. A VAD is used to treat heart failure or as a temporary bridge while awaiting a heart transplant.
Xenograft valves
Heart valves made from animal tissue that are used in valve replacement surgery.