Cardiac Surgery Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 26 Oct 2026
conduit
Vessel or graft used to bypass blocked arteries, typically harvested from the patient's own body.
Aortic Valve Sparing Root Replacement
Surgical technique that preserves the native aortic valve while replacing the aortic root and sinuses of Valsalva.
Aortopulmonary Window
Rare congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery...
arterial graft
Artery used as conduit for coronary bypass, typically internal mammary or radial artery, offering superior long-term pat...
arterial switch operation
Surgical procedure to correct transposition of great arteries by switching the positions of the aorta and pulmonary arte...
cardiac tamponade
Life-threatening condition where pericardial fluid compresses the heart and impairs filling.
cardioplegia
Solution used to arrest the heart and protect the myocardium during cardiac surgery.
cardioplegic arrest
Intentional cessation of cardiac activity using cardioplegic solution to create a motionless surgical field.
cardiopulmonary bypass
Technique using a heart-lung machine to temporarily take over cardiac and pulmonary function during surgery.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Comprehensive assessment combining exercise testing with respiratory gas analysis to evaluate cardiovascular and pulmona...
cardiotomy sucker
Surgical instrument that removes blood and debris from the operative field while returning blood to the CPB circuit.
coarctation repair
Surgical correction of narrowed segment of the aorta, typically in the thoracic region.
endocarditis prophylaxis
Preventive antibiotic therapy to reduce risk of infective endocarditis in high-risk patients.
endovascular
Referring to procedures performed inside blood vessels using catheters and guidewires rather than open surgical techniqu...
epicardial pacing
Temporary cardiac pacing using electrodes placed directly on the heart's surface during cardiac surgery.
Hemiarch Replacement
Surgical procedure replacing the ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch while preserving the distal arch and brachioce...
hypothermic circulatory arrest
Surgical technique involving deep hypothermia and complete cessation of circulation to protect organs during complex pro...
Myocardial Hibernation
Reversible reduction in myocardial contractility due to chronic ischemia, potentially recoverable after revascularizatio...
myocardial ischemia
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle resulting in inadequate oxygen delivery and potential tissue damage.
myocardial protection
Strategies used during cardiac surgery to prevent heart muscle damage during ischemia.
myocardial revascularization
Surgical restoration of blood flow to ischemic heart muscle through bypass grafting or other techniques.
myocardial stunning
Temporary myocardial dysfunction that persists after restoration of coronary blood flow following ischemia.
myocardial viability
Assessment of whether ischemic myocardium retains the potential for functional recovery after revascularization.
papillary muscle rupture
Acute disruption of mitral valve papillary muscle, typically following myocardial infarction, requiring emergency surgic...
patent ductus arteriosus
Persistent connection between aorta and pulmonary artery after birth, may require surgical closure.