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Surgical Critical Care Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

LVAD LVAD

Advanced Technical IVT

Left ventricular assist device; mechanical pump supporting heart function in patients with severe heart failure.

Showing 1–24 of 100

abdominal compartment syndrome

Professional Technical IVT

A condition where increased pressure within the abdominal cavity causes organ dysfunction and compromised circulation.

ACS
Technical Term Full entry →

abdominal hypertension

Advanced Technical IVT

Sustained intra-abdominal pressure ≥12 mmHg, a precursor to abdominal compartment syndrome requiring monitoring and inte...

Technical Term Full entry →

anastomosis

Intermediate Technical IVT

Surgical connection between two tubular structures, such as blood vessels or bowel segments.

Technical Term Full entry →

anastomotic leak

Professional Technical IVT

A serious complication where a surgical connection between two hollow organs breaks down, allowing contents to leak into...

Technical Term Full entry →

anesthesia emergence

Intermediate Technical IVT

Transition period as patients regain consciousness and protective reflexes following general anesthesia.

Technical Term Full entry →

APACHE II

Professional Technical IVT

Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scoring system used to assess severity of illness in ICU patients.

Technical Term Full entry →

ARDS

Professional Technical IVT

A severe form of acute lung injury characterized by widespread inflammation and increased pulmonary vascular permeabilit...

Technical Term Full entry →

ATLS protocol

Intermediate Technical IVT

Advanced Trauma Life Support - standardized approach to trauma patient assessment and management emphasizing systematic...

Abbreviation Full entry →

boggy abdomen

Intermediate Technical IVT

Physical examination finding describing a soft, edematous abdominal wall that feels spongy to palpation.

Technical Term Full entry →

bronchoscopy

Intermediate Technical IVT

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedure using a flexible scope to visualize and access the airways in critically ill patien...

Technical Term Full entry →

CABG

Intermediate Technical IVT

Coronary artery bypass grafting, a surgical procedure to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

Abbreviation Full entry →

cardiothoracic ratio

Intermediate Technical IVT

Measurement on chest X-ray comparing cardiac width to thoracic width, used to assess heart size and detect cardiomegaly.

Technical Term Full entry →

central venous pressure

Professional Technical IVT

Pressure measurement in the central venous system used to assess intravascular volume status and cardiac preload.

CVP
Technical Term Full entry →

chest tube

Intermediate Technical IVT

A drainage catheter inserted into the pleural space to remove air, blood, or fluid from around the lungs.

Technical Term Full entry →

colloid osmotic pressure

Professional Technical IVT

Osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in blood plasma, primarily albumin, that helps maintain intravascular volume.

Technical Term Full entry →

compartment syndrome

Intermediate Technical IVT

Acute condition where increased pressure within muscle compartments compromises circulation and tissue function.

Technical Term Full entry →

Slow, continuous form of dialysis used in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Technical Term Full entry →

CRRT

Professional Technical IVT

A form of dialysis that operates continuously over 24 hours, used for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Technical Term Full entry →

crystalloid

Intermediate Technical IVT

Intravenous fluid containing dissolved electrolytes used for volume resuscitation and maintaining fluid balance.

Technical Term Full entry →

cytoreductive surgery

Professional Technical IVT

Surgical procedure aimed at removing maximum tumor burden, often followed by heated chemotherapy.

Technical Term Full entry →

damage control surgery

Professional Technical IVT

A surgical strategy that prioritizes rapid control of hemorrhage and contamination over definitive repair in severely in...

Technical Term Full entry →

delirium

Intermediate Technical IVT

An acute confusional state characterized by fluctuating consciousness and cognitive dysfunction in critically ill patien...

Technical Term Full entry →

DIC

Advanced Technical IVT

Disseminated intravascular coagulation; systemic activation of blood clotting leading to widespread microthrombi and ble...

Abbreviation Full entry →

distributive shock

Professional Technical IVT

Shock characterized by widespread vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, commonly seen in sepsis.

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 1–24 of 100

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