systole
The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle when blood is pumped from the heart chambers.
ACE inhibitor
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a class of cardiovascular medications requiring careful editorial attention to...
afterload
The resistance the heart must overcome to eject blood during ventricular contraction.
angioplasty
Interventional procedure to open blocked coronary arteries, often used interchangeably with PCI in clinical documentatio...
anticoagulation
Therapeutic intervention using medications to prevent blood clot formation, critical in cardiac patient management docum...
aortic stenosis
Narrowing of the aortic valve opening that obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
apical ballooning syndrome
A form of stress-induced cardiomyopathy characterized by temporary left ventricular dysfunction with distinctive apical...
atrial fibrillation
An irregular and often rapid heart rhythm disorder affecting the heart's upper chambers, increasing stroke risk.
auscultation
Physical examination technique using a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds, with specific terminology for abnormal fin...
BNP
B-type natriuretic peptide, a hormone released by the heart in response to increased wall tension, used as a biomarker f...
bradycardia
Heart rate below 60 beats per minute, requiring careful editorial distinction from tachycardia in clinical documentation...
Brugada syndrome
An inherited cardiac arrhythmia disorder characterized by abnormal electrocardiogram findings and increased risk of sudd...
bundle branch block
Electrical conduction delay in the heart's bundle branches, visible on ECG and requiring specific morphology description...
CABG
Coronary artery bypass grafting, a surgical procedure to restore blood flow to blocked coronary arteries.
cardiac biomarkers
Blood tests that detect proteins released during myocardial injury, primarily used to diagnose heart attacks.
cardiac catheterization
An invasive diagnostic procedure using catheters to visualize coronary arteries and assess cardiac function.
cardiac index
Cardiac output normalized to body surface area, expressed in L/min/m².
cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Advanced imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart's structure an...
cardiac output
The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated as stroke volume multiplied by heart rate.
cardiac tamponade
A life-threatening condition where fluid accumulation in the pericardial space compresses the heart and impairs venous r...
cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle causing structural and functional abnormalities, with multiple subtypes requiring specific e...
chronotropic incompetence
The inability of the heart rate to increase appropriately in response to increased metabolic demand during exercise.
chronotropic response
The heart's ability to increase heart rate appropriately in response to physiological demands.
CK-MB
Creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme, a cardiac biomarker used to detect myocardial injury, though largely superseded by troponi...
collateral circulation
Alternative blood flow pathways that develop to bypass occluded coronary arteries, providing blood supply to ischemic my...