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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 P pacemaker, artificial - Implanted medical device that restores the heartbeat to a more normal rate, thereby relieving the symptoms of bradycardia. A pacemaker stimulates the heart muscle with precisely timed discharges of electricity that cause the heart to beat in a manner very similar to a naturally occurring heart rhythm. Pacemakers are usually implanted in a routine, outpatient surgical procedure.   pacemaker, check-up - The process used by clinicians to determine if the programmed settings of an implanted pacemaker are at their optimum settings. If necessary, the clinician can use a programmer to change settings to better address the patient's needs. When a patient has a rate-responsive pacemaker, the patient may be asked to perform a physical activity, such as walking, during the office visit. Performing an activity allows the clinician to test and adjust the settings to achieve an appropriate heart rate.   pacemaker, dual-chamber - A dual-chamber pacemaker typically requires two pacing leads: one placed in the right atrium, and the other placed in the right ventricle. A dual-chamber pacemaker monitors (senses) both atrial and ventricular activity to determine when pacing is needed. When pacing is needed, the atrium is paced followed closely by pacing of the ventricle; this timing mimics the heart's natural activity.   pacemaker, natural - The heart's natural pacemaker is called the sinoatrial or SA node and is located in the upper right chamber of the heart (right atrium). The SA node produces small electrical impulses that vary in rate dependingupon the body's demands for oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood. These impulses cause the atria to contract and force blood into the ventricles.   pacemaker, rate-responsive - A pacemaker with one or more special sensors designed to recognize changes in the body, such as motion of the limbs, or frequency of respiration. By monitoring these body changes, the rate-responsive pacemaker helps the heart rate increase or decrease to meet the body's changing needs. The normal heart rhythm slows down or speeds up many times during the day, beating slower when a person rests or sleeps, and faster when exercise or emotional excitement signal the body's extra need for oxygen-rich blood. The rate-responsive pacemaker's circuitry interprets the body's changes and increases or decreases the pacing rate to meet the body's needs, depending upon how the physician programmed the response. When the pacemaker senses that the heartbeat is too slow or irregular for the activity being performed, it sends out the needed electrical impulses to pace the heart at the appropriate rate. Single-chamber or dual-chamber pacemakers can be rate-responsive.   pacemaker, single-chamber - A pacemaker connected to one lead in either the right atrium or the right ventricle. Most single-chamber pacemakers are attached to the right ventricle.   pacemaker, surgery - See implant surgery for pacemakers. pacing - The pacemaker function that sends electrical impulses to the heart to cause it to beat. A pacing system paces the heart when the heart's own rhythm is interrupted, irregular, or too slow. A pacemaker can sense (monitor) the heart's natural electrical activity. If a pacemaker senses a natural heartbeat, it will not pace the heart.   painful neuropathies - Painful neuropathies are the inflammation and degeneration of peripheral nerves. This condition is a common complication of diabetes, affecting 60% - 70% of diabetics. Common symptoms include pain in the lower limbs, which can involve severe pain in both legs. Current treatment is focused on relieving painful symptoms. Painful neuropathies may be successfully treated with APT Neurostimulation or APT Intrathecal.   paravalvular insufficiency - Leakage of blood at the periphery or the valve paravalvular leak - Leakage of blood at the periphery of the valve. Parkinson's disease - A progressive and degenerative disease categorized as a 'movement disorder.' Its four main symptoms are tremor, rigidity or stiffness of the limbs, slowness of movement, and impaired balance or coordination. Parkinson's disease occurs because of a loss of dopamine in the brain. (The exact cause of this loss is not known.) Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that enables communication among the brain cells involved in the control of movements.   patient programmer - A handheld remote used by the patient to control amplitude and turn the neurostimulator ON and OFF. payor or provider network - Physicians, hospitals, and other organizations that have entered into a contract with a health plan. pediatric perfusion products - Specialized products that are used during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures for infants and small children. perforation - A hole caused by a pierce or punch perfusion - To supply nutrients and oxygen to the organs and tissues by way of blood flow through the vessels or the process of mechanically pumping blood through the body's blood vessels.   perfusion circuit - The pathway of tubing and other devices required to accomplish extracorporeal circulation. perfusion quality assurance software - Software designed to collect, store and analyze data for tracking quality assurance in perfusion practices. peripheral nerve injury - Peripheral Nerve Injury is a condition in which damage to a specific nerve(s) causes pain. Peripheral Nerve Injury may cause considerable pain in the arms or legs and may be successfully treated with APT Neurostimulation.   peripheral nerve stimulation - Peripheral Nerve Stimulation uses a small radio frequency system that is surgically placed under the skin to send mild electrical impulses to the specific nerve that's causing pain. The electrical impulses are delivered through a lead (a special medical wire) that is also surgically placed. These electrical impulses block the signal of pain from reaching the brain.   physiologic saline - A salt solution that is isotonic with blood plasma resistant fiber (PRF) - Small-pore hollow fiber used in oxygenators for improved plasma resistance because it is less susceptible to plasma breakthrough. platelet - Also known as thrombocytes, these disk-shaped, colorless thrombocytes enucleated bodies are produced in the bone marrow by fragmentation of megakaryocytes. Platelets are essential for coagulation and play a vital role in the hemostatic process which prevents blood loss. platelet gel - A wound sealant that is a form of autologous fibrin glue which involves removing a unit of blood from a patient, separating the platelet concentrate, and then returning the red blood cells and plasma back to the patient before or during the surgery.   platelet sequestration - A process that uses centrifugal force to separate whole blood into three components: red blood cells, platelet poor plasma and concentrated platelets. The lighter elements are forced to the center and flow out the top of the bowl. This process uses a small plasma volume to a achieve a high platelet content.   platelet-rich plasmapheresis (PRP) - A process by which a portion of the patient's whole blood is collected and separated into its components just prior to surgery porcine myocardium - Thick cardiac muscle tissue of the pig portable bypass system (PBS) - A self-contained mobile system designed to handle a variety of procedures from emergency transport situations to cardiopulmonary bypass support. postoperative compensation - The heart's reaction following valve surgery preferred provider - A physician, clinic, or hospital under contract to a health plan, where there is a financial incentive to the patient to use the provideršs services. programmer magnet - During a pacemaker check, a clinician will usually hold a programmer magnet over the skin, just above the area where the pacemaker is implanted. The programmer magnet gathers information from the pacemaker and relays the information to the programmer.   programmer, pacemaker - A small computer used in a clinician's office to check the pacemaker. The programmer magnet is often placed over the pacemaker to collect information stored in the pacemaker. The Medtronic Model 9790 programmer is the only programmer that allows clinicians to view your ECG while performing a pacemaker check.   programmer, tremor - A computer controller that uses radio signals to allow a physician or nurse to adjust electrical pulse settings from the Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG).   proximal sutures - Those sutures nearest to the center of the valve pulmonary artery - The artery connected to the heart's right ventricle that carries oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs. pulmonary valve - One of two valves that control blood flow out of the heart. The pulmonary valve opens from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. Once blood leaves the heart through this valve, it closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the heart.   pumping action of the heart - The heart pumps nearly 5 quarts of blood every minute, or 75 gallons of blood every hour. The heart's rhythmic pumping contractions send oxygen-rich blood and nourishment to the body's cells. It also returns deoxygenated blood to the lungs where the oxygen is replenished. The heart is very sensitive to the body's needs, adjusting its rate of pumping to the demand of the body's cells. For example, with a faster heart rate during strenuous exercise, the heart can increase the amount of blood up to four times the amount it pumps at rest, within only a matter of seconds.   pumpless bypass surgery - Bypass surgery done without the patient being placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine).