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• Cardio Terms

- T -

• Tachycardia

A term used to describe a condition in which the heart is beating at a faster than normal rate. Tachycardia can be due to many causes and is not necessarily a problem. Exercise, stress, excitement, and fear can all cause the heart to beat faster than normal and is a normal response to these factors. There are some heart conditions that can cause tachycardia that is not a normal response to normal daily activity. These tachcardias may be symptomatic and may require treatment. The treatment for most tachycardias is to remove the cause of the tachycardia and medicines to slow the heart rate. Some tachycardias require a procedure or surgery to correct the tachycardia.



• TAPVR

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return.



• Technician

A person highly skilled in a certain field or process.



• Technologist

A person who applies scientific knowledge in a specialized field or process.



• TEE

Transesphogeal echocardiography, a doppler echocardiographic transducer is inserted in the esophogus to visualize the lungs, heart and great vessels.



• Temperature correction

The mathematical process to correct for the physical changes that ph, po2, pco2 go through when a blood sample is warmed or cooled in vitro during analysis.



• Tetralogy of fallot (TOF)

Congenital heart condition characterized by; 1. Over riding aorta, 2. Vsd, 3. Rv outflow tract obstruction and, 3. Pda, if asd is present the condition is called a 'pentology of fallot'.



• TGA

Transposition of the great arteries.



• Thebesian veins

The small veins terminating into the right sided chambers of the heart draining the right coronary circulation of the heart.



• Thoracoscopy

A procedure in which the inside of the chest cavity is viewed or 'explored' with a thoracoscope. A thoracoscope is an endoscopic instrument, which is usually composed of either two channels. In a two-channel thoracoscope, one channel is a fiber optic light channel that allows the surgeon to bring light into the chest cavity. The other channel is an optic system that allows the surgeon to look down the scope into the chest cavity, and to introduce instruments that can be used to obtain pieces of abnormal tissue (biopsies).



• Thoracotomy

A term used to describe the incision used to open the chest cavity. A thoracotomy incision is made between the ribs and is used to perform a variety of lung and some heart operations.



• Thrombocyte

Platelet; the small, disc shaped enucleated body found in the blood that initiates the coagulation process.



• Thrombocytopenia

Abnormal decrease in number of the blood platelets.



• Thrombolytic therapy

Pharmacologic treatment with a class of drugs that can break up fibrin blood clots.



• Thrombosis / Coronary Thrombosis

The occlusion or blockage of blood flow within a vessel caused by blood that has clotted within the vessel. Coronary thrombosis is a term used to describe the blockage of a coronary artery secondary to blood clotting within the artery.



• Thrombus

Blood clot, blood that has gone from a liquid state to a gel to stop bleeding.



• TI

Tricuspid insufficiency.



• TIA

Transient ischemic attack.



• TM

Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction.



• Total CO2 content

Consists of hco3-, h2co3, and dissolved co2 (pco2). (since co2 and h2co3 are interchangable) total co2 = dissolved co2 gas + hco3-. Or total co2 = hco3- + (0.03 * pco2). (the co2 solubility coefficient, 0.03, converts pco2 in mm/l to meq/l) in normal plasma, more than 95% of the total co2 is contributed by hco3-, the other 5% by dissolved co2 and h2co3.



• TPA

Tissue plasminogen activator; a substance that converts plasminogen to plasmin to dissolve clot.



• TR

Tricuspid regurgitation.



• Trachea

The tube-like structure that allows inhaled air to reach the lungs. The trachea, in non-medical terms, is often referred to as the 'wind pipe'. The trachea begins immediately below the larynx in the neck and travels into the chest where it divides into two main tubes, known as bronchi. The bronchi are known as the right mainstem bronchus and the left mainstem bronchus.



• Tracheostomy

A procedure in which a small tube is placed into the portion of the trachea that is located in the neck. A tracheostomy is usually done with general anesthesia and is most often performed for patients who will be dependent on a ventilator for a prolonged period of time.



• Trans-

Across or through.



• Transcutaneous

Through the skin.



• Transfusion

The injection of whole blood or blood products into the blood stream.



• Transvenous pacemaker

Cardiac pacemaker using a pacing electrode or wire passed through a vein into the chambers of the heart that stimulates and maintains a normal heart rate; may be permanent or temporary.



• Triage

Screening and classification of sick, wounded, or injured persons to determine priority of need and proper place of treatment.



• Tricuspid atresia

Small or undeveloped tricuspid valve.



• Tricuspid valve

The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle.



• TS

Tricuspid stenosis; stenosis of the tricuspid valve.



• Tunica

In anatomy, a general term for a membrane or other structure covering or lining a body part or organ.



• Tunica Adventitia

The outer coat of various tubular structures including blood vessels.



• Tunica Intima

The innermost coat of a blood vessel.



• Tunica Media

The middle coat of a blood vessel.



• TV

Tricuspid valve.