• Specialty
  • Cardiology
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  • Hematology
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  • OB-Gyn
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedic
  • Otolaryngology - ENT
  • Radiology
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• Cardiology
  • Arteries
  • Cardio Catheters
  • Cardio Terms
  • Gallops
  • Hypertension
  • Leads (EKG)
  • Murmurs
  • Rubs
  • Scans - Cardio
  • Stress - Cardio
  • Tests - Cardio
  • Veins
  • Sample Reports - Cardiovascular / Pulmonary

• Cardio Terms

- E -

• ECA

External carotid artery.



• ECC

Extra-corporeal circulation (or circuit); the propulsion of blood outside the body to perform an artificial organ function.



• ECCO2R

Extra-corporeal carbon dioxide removal; the agressive removal of carbon dioxide from a portion of the venous blood before it enters the right atrium to provide support to a patient in respiratory failure.



• ECD

Endocardial cushion defect.



• ECG

Electrocardiogram.



• ECHO

Echocardiogram.



• Echocardiography

The process of reflecting ultrasound doppler signals off the heart and surrounding anatomical structures to visualize cardiac activity and structure, and acilitate diagnosis.



• ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; the process of propelling blood outside the body (often in neonates, or newborns) to perform artificial ventilation of the blood with a blood oxygenator that allows for diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across a continuous membrane material separating gas and blood.



• ECT

Extracorporeal circulation technology; the study of maintaining blood flow outside the body to perform artificial organ(s) functions.



• EEG

Electroencephalogram.



• EF

Ejection fraction; the percent of the left ventricular volume that is ejected in one cardiac contraction; stroke volume divided by ventricular end-diastolic volume.



• Ejection fraction (EF)

The percent of the left ventricular volume that is ejected in one cardiac contraction; stroke volume divided by ventricular end-diastolic volume.



• EKG

Electrocardiogram.



• Electrocardiograph

A machine or device used to record an electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG. The ECG recorded by the electrocardiograph translates the electrical impulses generated in the heart into wave-like signals that is recorded on paper, and used to diagnose many conditions of the heart. Many heart conditions have characteristic ECG�s that aid the physician in making a diagnosis or directing care.



• Embolism

The term used to describe the act of an embolus or emboli moving in the blood stream.



• Embolus (EMBOLI)

An embolus is most often a particle or piece of a blood clot, or plaque that has broken loose from a blood vessel wall and is being carried down the vessel by the flow of blood. As the embolus flows down the vessel it is carried into small branches of the blood vessel and can eventually block the flow of blood in the vessel. The lack of blood supply beyond the blockage can cause a variety of problems, depending on what organ the blood vessel is supplying. For example, an embolus to the brain can cause a stroke, while an embolus to the lungs, if large enough, can cause cardiac arrest and can result in death.



• Emphysema

A condition of the lungs, in which the small air sacs of the lungs, know as alveoli expand and dilate secondary to numerous causes. As the alveoli expand the ability to add oxygen and remove CO2 to and from the blood is compromised. Emphysema can be caused by cigarette smoking, inhalation of toxic fumes and some congenital diseases. Emphysema is often grouped with a group of lung diseases referred to as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Depending on the degree of emphysema, surgery may be performed.



• Endo

A adjective attached to a noun or verb that implies an internal location, such as 'endocardium', the inner surface of the heart. When attached to an instrument, such as an 'endoscope', it implies that the instrument is used on the inside of an organ or cavity.



• Endocarditis

An infection of a heart valve. The infection is usually secondary to an infection by a bacteria, but can be due to other micro-organisms. Any of the valves can become infected, including valve replacements.



• Endocardium

The inner surface of the heart muscle. The heart muscle wall is divided into inner and outer surfaces. The inside surface lines the inner chambers of the heart. The outer surface of the heart, where the coronary arteries are located, is known as the epicardial surface of the heart. A heart attack, also known as a 'myocardial infarct' that injures the full thickness of the heart is know as an endocardial infarct and is usually more severe than a partial thickness infarct.



• Endoscope

An instrument used to look inside an organ or body cavity. An endoscope is usually composed of 3 components: a) an optic system that allows the physician/surgeon to look through the scope into the organ or cavity, or to attach a video camera to the scope, b) a fiberoptic cable to transmit light into the area, and c) a lumen to take samples of the area being viewed. Generally, the term 'endo' is dropped, and the organ or cavity name is associated with 'scope' to refer to the use of the instrument. Examples: Bronchoscope refers to an endoscope used to look inside a patient�s lungs. A gastroscope is used to look inside a patient�s stomach.



• Endothelium

The monocellular lining of blood vessels, heart and lymphatic system.



• End-Stage Disease

The very worst condition of an organ or disease state. At this point the organ is barely functioning. Examples: End stage kidney disease means the kidneys have shut down and the patient needs dialysis; End stage heart disease means the heart is functioning very poorly and may need mechanical support or transplantation in order for the patient to survive.



• Erthrocyte

A mature red blood cell that contains molecular hemoglobin.



• Erythropoiesis

The process by which the bone marrow produces red blood cells and other cellular elements.



• ET

Endotrachial tube.



• Exercise tolerance testing

Stress test, a diagnostic test in which the patient exercises on a treadmill, bicycle, or other equipment while heart activity is monitored by an ecg.



• Extracorporeal

Outside the body.



• Extravascular

Outside the vascular system, or fluid that is contained in the interstitial space.