Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907
Cardiac services glossary
Angina pectoris -- The medical term for chest pain that occurs when the heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. It is a sign that you are at risk for heart attack.
Angioplasty (balloon, PTCA) -- A nonsurgical approach to clear a blockage in a coronary artery. A thin plastic tube (catheter) is passed from a puncture site in your groin or arm to the blocked artery in your heart. With the aid of a radiographic technique called fluoroscopy, your doctor is able to see on a television monitor the progression of the catheter through your artery. Once it reaches the blocked area, a tiny balloon attached to the catheter is inflated to open up the blockage. When the obstruction is opened enough to allow sufficient blood to pass through, the catheter is removed.
Aorta -- A large elastic artery beginning at the upper part of the left ventricle of the heart that becomes the main trunk of the arterial system.
Artery -- A blood vessel conveying blood in a direction away from the heart.
Arteriosclerosis -- A hardening of the arteries taking a number of forms.
Arteriogram -- An X-ray picture of an artery achieved by injecting an opaque dye with a needle or tube into the affected artery.
Atherectomy -- A procedure for opening coronary arteries blocked by cholesterol and other fatty substances. It is often performed during an angioplasty. The surgeon uses a rotating shaver on the end of the catheter that is threaded into the coronary artery. The high-speed rotating grinds the material blocking the artery into minute particles. Balloon angioplasty may then be used on the artery.
Cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath) -- A cardiac cath or angiogram is a procedure that identifies possible problems with your heart or its arteries. During a cath, a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. The catheter is guided up toward your heart. A special dye is injected into the catheter so X-rays can show if you have any artery blockage or other heart problems.
Cardiac valve surgery -- When a valve in your heart is not properly controlling the flow of blood, cardiac surgeons repair or replace the defective valve.
Cardiomyoplasty -- A procedure that takes muscles from the back or abdomen and wraps them around the heart. The muscle is stimulated by a device similar to a pacemaker and may boost the heart's pumping action.
Cholesterol -- The most abundant fatty substance in animal tissues. High levels in the diet contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Coronary arteries -- Blood vessels that deliver oxygenated blood to the heart. There are two coronary arteries, the right and left, which both branch off from the aorta.
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) -- When one or more coronary arteries is blocked or severely narrowed, you may need coronary bypass surgery. A vein from your leg or an artery from your arm or chest can be attached to the blocked artery to bypass the blockage. The blood can then use this bypass to once again flow freely to the heart.
EKG, electrocardiogram -- A diagnostic test that analyzes the electrical activity of the heart.
Echocardiogram - A test that uses ultrasound waves to measure the size of the heart and its chambers. It shows whether the heart is beating normally and the valves of the heart are working properly.
Electrophysiology studies -- Studies conducted to determine the focus of arrhythmias in the heart. Electrodes are placed in the heart during a cardiac catheterization, making it possible to measure the electrical potential of different locations within the heart. The physician can then find the area responsible for an arrhythmia and destroy the abnormal cells.
Heart attack -- A heart attack, known medically as an acute myocardial infarction or MI, occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked or almost completely blocked. Blood and nutrients are not able to reach the part of the heart muscle below the blockage. The severity of the heart attack is a result primarily of the area of the heart that is affected.
Heart transplant -- Replacement of a diseased or damaged heart with a healthy heart from a donor.
Holter monitor -- A portable electrocardiographic device worn for 24 hours or more to monitor heart rhythms.
Implantable cardioverter/defibrillator -- device designed to produce an electric shock to control rapid arrhythmias and restore normal heartbeat. It is implanted beneath the skin of the chest and connected to the heart via patches.
Intracoronary ultrasound -- A noninvasive technique that uses sound waves and their echoes to visualize structures and blood flow within the heart.
Left ventricular assist device -- A mechanical pumping device that is surgically implanted. It helps maintain pumping action of the heart. It is often used in patients who are waiting for a heart transplant.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) -- A type of diagnostic X-ray using electromagnetic energy that produces cross-sectional images of the body's internal structures.
Minimally invasive heart surgery -- A surgical procedure that is less invasive than conventional coronary artery bypass surgery is possible for some patients. A smaller incision allows the surgery access to your heart, your breastbone is not surgically divided and there is no need to use a heart-lung machine because your heart continues to do its work.
Nitroglycerin -- (sometimes called nitro or NTG) is a prescription medication that opens blood vessels so more blood can get to the heart. It is often proscribed for people who experience angina or chest pain resulting from an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Nuclear cardiology -- Noninvasive tests to evaluate heart disease using a small amount of radioactive substance. It is injected into a vein and its presence is detected by a gamma camera. Images reveal areas of the heart that are not getting enough blood.
Open heart surgery -- A term used to describe surgery in which your chest is opened, so a surgeon can perform surgery on your heart. During open heart surgery, blood continues to circulate through your body with the help of a heart-lung machine.
Pacemaker -- An artificial device surgically implanted in the heart to regulate the heart beat.
Plaque -- Fatty deposits that collect in the lining of the arteries.
Rotoblade -- A high-speed rotating device that connects to the end of a catheter and is used to grind away material that is blocking a coronary artery. Used in an atherectomy, a procedure to open coronary arteries often performed with an angioplasty.
Stenosis -- Narrowing of a blood vessel, heart valve or other passage in the cardiovascular system.
Stent -- Tiny metal device used to keep collapsed arteries open. Often placed during angioplasties.
Valve surgery -- An open heart operation to repair or replace defective or blocked heart valves.
Next page: Cardiac Services home page
Last revised: December 3, 2004 (jj)
