Glossary


Angina - Angina pectoris is chest pain due to ischemia (a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply)
of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries (the heart's blood
vessels).


Angiography - Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique in which an
X-ray picture is taken to visualize the inner opening of blood filled structures, including arteries,
veins and the heart chambers.

Angioplasty- Angioplasty is the mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally obstructed blood
vessel. These obstructions are often caused by atherosclerosis. The term derives from the roots
"angio" or vessel and "plasticos" fit for molding. The term has come to include all manner of
vascular interventions typically performed in a minimally invasive or percutaneous method.

Atherosclerosis- Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the arterial blood vessel. It is commonly
referred to as a "hardening" or "furring" of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple
plaques within the arteries.

Aortic Aneurysm - an aortic aneurysm is a general term for any swelling (dilatation or aneurysm)
of the aorta, usually representing an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that location.
While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is the risk of
rupture which causes severe pain, massive  internal hemorrhage and, without prompt treatment,
results in a quick death. Aneurysms often are a source of blood clots (emboli) stemming from
the most common etiology of atherosclerosis.

Aortic Valve - The aortic valve is one of the valves of the heart. It lies between the left ventricle
and the aorta.

Arteries - Arteries are muscular blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They are
contrasted with veins, which carry blood toward the heart.

Cardiac Arrhythmia - Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions in which the muscle contraction
of the heart is irregular or is faster or slower than normal. Cardiac dysrhythmia might be a more
correct phrase to describe the condition, as arrhythmia would imply that there is "no rhythm," but
this term is not used frequently.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) - Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is a medical imaging
methodology using a specially designed catheter with a miniaturized ultrasound probe attached to
the distal end of it. The proximal end of the catheter is attached to computerized ultrasound
equipment. It allows the application of ultrasound technology to see from inside blood vessels out
through the surrounding blood column, visualizing the endothelium (inner wall) of blood vessels in
living individuals.

Ischemia - Ischemia - is a restriction in blood supply, generally due to factors in the blood
vessels, with resultant damage or dysfunction of tissue. It may also be spelled ischaemia or
ischæmia.

Left Atrium - The left atrium is one of the four chambers in the human heart. It receives
oxygenated blood from the four pulmonary veins, and pumps it into the left ventricle.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a class of lipoprotein particles
that varies in size (18-25 nm in diameter) and contents (while carrying fatty acid molecules in
blood and around the body). It is the final stage of VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) which is
produced by the liver. The LDL contains the apolipoproteins B-100 (Apo B-100, a protein with
4536 amino acid residues) and Apo E.[1] It also contains antioxidative vitamins (vitamin E or
carotinoids). It is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol as high LDL levels can lead to
cardiovascular disease.

Myocardial Infarction - acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), commonly known as a
heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is
interrupted. The resulting ischemia or oxygen shortage causes damage and potential death
of heart tissue.

Plaque-  Atheromatous plaque, a buildup of fatty deposits within the wall of a blood Vessel

Pulmonary Valve - The pulmonary valve (or pulmonic valve) is the semilunar valve of the heart
that lies between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and has three cusps. Similar to
the aortic valve, the pulmonic valve opens in ventricular systole, when the pressure in the right
ventricle rises above the pressure in the pulmonary artery. At the end of ventricular systole,
when the pressure in the right ventricle falls rapidly, the pressure in the pulmonary artery will
close the pulmonic valve.

Trans fat - Trans fatty acids (commonly termed trans fats) are a type of unsaturated fat
(and may be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated).

Referenece and research by courtesy of : http://en.wikipedia.org/

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