Next Letter (B)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A activity sensor - See sensor, activity. allogenic blood - The term that refers to the genetic differences between individuals of the same species. Most often used to denote cells taken from a donor and transfused or transplanted into a nonidentical recipient. For example, a patient with type A blood must receive blood that is type A or O. allograft - A valve graft composed of tissue from an animal of the same species. alpha amino oleic acid (AOAĆ) - A naturally occurring substance synthesized from oleic acid which occurs in animal and vegetable oils: CH3(CH2)7CH:CH(CH2)7COOH. Used on the Freestyle and Mosaic bioprostheses. Shown to mitigate leaflet calcification in animal studies. amiodarone - A medication used for the treatment of heart rhythm disturbances that occur in both the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) and the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Amiodarone works by slowing down the electrical signals in the heart.   amplitude - The strength or intensity of stimulation measured in volts. anastomosis - Surgical connection of two vessels into a continuous channel. anastomotic suturing - The delicate sewing process of suturing the end of the graft vessel to the artery.   angioplasty - A procedure which uses a catheter to push apart the plaque in clogged arteries. antenna - Device used with the patient programmer when the neurostimulator is placed in an area difficult to reach. The antenna sends signals to the neurostimulator. One end connects to the patient programmer, and the other is placed over the neurostimulator. antiarrhythmic drugs - Medications designed to prevent or treat cardiac arrhythmia. antitachycardia pacing (ATP) - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy often used to treat ventricular tachycardia (VT). ATP consists of small, rapid pacing pulses that are designed to stop a heart rhythm that is starting to accelerate.   aorta - The largest blood vessel in the body. The aorta is connected to the heart's left ventricle. It carries oxygen-enriched blood to the body. aortic valve - One of two valves that control bloodflow out of the heart. The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta, the largest artery in the human body. Once blood leaves the heart through this valve to flow into the aorta, the valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the heart.   arachnoiditis - This disease occurs when the membrane that is in direct contact with the spinal fluid becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes pain by pressing on the nerves. Doctors are unclear about what causes this condition. Arachnoiditis may be successfully treated with either APT Neurostimulation or APT Intrathecal.   arrhythmia - An irregular heartbeat. This could be a rhythm that's abnormally slow (bradycardia) or a rhythm that's too fast (tachycardia).   arterial filter - A filter which is positioned in the arterial side of the extraporeal circuit for the purpose of venting air from the line. arteries - The thick, muscular tubes that carry blood away from the heart. arteriotomy - A small opening made in the aorta by the surgeon; the surgeon then connects one end of the bypass graft to the arteriotomy, and then the other end of the graft to the coronary artery beyond the blockage.   atraumatic - not traumatic atria - plural for atrium atrial fibrillation - Extremely rapid, irregular atrial impulses. This rapid rate does not allow the atria to pump blood effectively into the ventricles. It can also cause irregular rapid ventricular beats. atrial pacing - A pacing system with a lead attached to the right atrium. This is designed to correct abnormalities in the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node, a condition known as sick sinus syndrome.   atrioventricular annulus - The structure surrounding the opening of any of the cardiac valves. atrioventricular (AV) node - See AV node. atrioventricular pacing - See pacemaker, dual-chamber. atrioventricular valves - See AV valves. atrium - See atria. autologous blood - The patient's own blood or blood components, the best possible blood for a patient since there is no chance of disease transmission or a transfusion reaction. autotransfusion - The collection, processing and reinfusion of one's own blood which has been lost due to trauma or surgical procedure. AV node - Also called the atrioventricular node. A group of located in the middle of the heart. Electrical signals from the sinoatrial (SA) node travel through the AV node before moving to the rest of the heart. The AV node helps keep the upper and lower heart chambers beating in synchrony. When the AV node is blocked, it can result in a slow or heartbeat called heart block. An artificial pacemaker can take over an impaired AV node to restore a more normal heart rate.   AV valves - Also called atrioventricular valves. The AV valves are located between the atria and the ventricles. All heart valves have either two or three flaps of tissue called leaflets that open and close. Healthy valve leaflets ensure that the blood flows in only one direction through the heart. Closed AV valves prevent blood from flowing backward into the atria when the heart beats. The AV valve between the right atrium and right ventricle is called the tricuspid valve. The AV valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle is called the mitral valve.   axial somatic pain - Also known as nociceptive pain, axial somatic pain results from tissue damage that causes the release of chemicals that mediate pain and inflammation. Axial somatic pain may be successfully treated with APT Intrathecal.