Surgical Critical Care Glossary
100 terms total — 4 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
LVAD LVAD
Left ventricular assist device; mechanical pump supporting heart function in patients with severe heart failure.
VAP
Healthcare-associated pneumonia that develops 48 hours after mechanical ventilation initiation.
vasopressor
A medication that causes vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure and improve organ perfusion in critically ill patie...
ventilator weaning
The gradual process of reducing mechanical ventilatory support to assess a patient's ability to breathe independently.
washout procedure
Surgical intervention to remove infected or necrotic material and irrigate affected tissues or cavities.