Cardiac Surgery Glossary

Accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial space surrounding the heart.

Biological material used to close septal defects or augment cardiac structures during surgical repair.

Surgical creation of an opening in the pericardium to drain fluid and prevent recurrent pericardial effusion.

Surgical incision into the pericardium to access the heart and great vessels.

Narrowing of the pulmonary valve that impedes blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries.

Arterial conduit harvested from the forearm for use in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Repeat cardiac surgical procedure in a patient with previous cardiac surgery, associated with increased operative risk.

Complete coronary bypass surgery using only arterial conduits, avoiding venous grafts entirely.

Full-thickness death of heart muscle extending from endocardium to epicardium, often requiring surgical intervention.

Surgical removal of a ventricular aneurysm, typically post-infarction, often combined with ventricular reconstruction.

Mechanical pump that supports heart function in patients with severe heart failure.

Progressive changes in ventricular size, shape, and function following myocardial injury or in response to hemodynamic s...

Congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the wall separating the heart's two lower chambers.