Reference: Davies, L., & Mann, M. (2000). Heart children a practical handbook for parents of babies and children with heart conditions. 4th Ed. Parent and Family Resource Centre Inc. Auckland.
Please select an alphabetic section below to view the glossary
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Acidosis
A metabolic condition in which the acid content of the blood or
body tissues is too great. It may result from failure of the lungs to remove
carbon dioxide (respiratory acidosis) or from an over production of acid substances
in the body's tissues (metabolic acidosis).
Aetiology
The causes of a disease.
Anaemia
Reduction in the red blood cell count.
Anaesthetic
A chemical that produces loss of consciousness.
Aneurysm
A spindle-shaped or sac-like bulging of the wall of a vein or artery,
due to weakening of the wall by disease or to an abnormality present at birth.
Angiocardiography
X-ray examination of the heart and great blood vessels that follows
the course of an opaque fluid which has been injected into the blood stream.
Angioplasty
Stretching of a narrow artery by a balloon catheter.
Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
Oxygenated blood returning from the lungs is carried abnormally
to the right side of the heart by one or more pulmonary veins emptying directly,
or indirectly through venous channels, into the right atrium. Partial anomalous
return of the pulmonary veins to the right atrium results in the same problem
as an atrial septal defect (some blood drains to the wrong side of the heart).
In complete anomalous return of the pulmonary veins, an interatrial communication
is necessary for survival.
Anoxia
Literally, no oxygen. This condition most frequently occurs when the blood
supply to part of the body is completely cut off. This results in the death
of the affected tissue. For example,
a specific area of the heart muscle may die when the blood supply (and hence
the oxygen supply) has been blocked, as by a clot in the artery supplying
that area.
Anticoagulant
A drug which delays clotting of the blood. When given in cases where
a blood vessel is plugged up by a clot, it tends to prevent new clots from
forming, or the existing clots from enlarging, but does not dissolve an existing
clot. Examples are heparin and warfarin.
Aorta
Main artery which receives blood from the left ventricle of the heart. It
originates at the base of the heart, arches up over it and passes down through
the chest and abdomen in front of the spine. It gives off many lesser arteries
which take blood to all parts of the body except the lungs.
Aortic Arch
The part of the aorta leaving the heart, which curves up like a cane handle
over the top of it.
Aortic Valve
The valve at the junction of the aorta and the left ventricle of the heart.
Formed by three opposing cup-shaped membranes, allows the blood to flow from
the heart into the aorta and prevents a back flow.
Aortography
X-ray examination of the aorta (main artery conducting blood from the left
pumping chamber of the heart to the body) and its main branches. This is made
possible by the injection of a fluid which is opaque to x-rays.
Apex
The blunt rounded end of the heart, directed downward, forward and to the
left.
Arrhythmia
An abnormal rhythm of the heart beat. Sometimes during surgery the natural
pacing mechanisms in the heart become swollen resulting in an irregular or
slow heart beat. It may be necessary to use a temporary external pacemaker
or on rare occasions a permanent pacemaker may be required. Occasionally the
heart beats very fast and medication is used to slow it down.
Arterial Blood
Oxygenated blood. The blood is oxygenated in the lungs, and passes from the
lungs to the left side via the pulmonary vein. It is then pumped by the left
side of the heart into the arteries which carry it to all parts of the body
(see "Venous Blood").
Arterioles
The smallest arterial vessels (about 0.2mm or 1/125 inch in diameter) resulting
from repeated branching of the arteries. They conduct the blood from the arteries
to the capillaries.
Artery
Blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart to the body. They usually
carry oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery which carries unoxygenated
blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.
Artificial Valve
Artificial valves are used to replace valves which do not function. The choice
of valve replacement will depend on the child's condition. Artificial valves
will not grow, therefore may need replacing as the child grows.
Ascites
Fluid in the abdomen.
Atheroma
A deposit of fat and other substances in the inner lining of the artery wall
which causes narrowing and a reduction of blood flow, on to which clots may
form.
Atrium
One of the two upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives unoxygenated
blood from the body. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
Autopsy
Medical examination of the body after death.
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Banding
An artificial narrowing of the pulmonary artery with a "band" to
reduce blood flow to the lungs.
Bifurcation
Division into two branches.
Biopsy
Removal of a small piece of tissue.
Blood Pressure
The pressure produced by blood passing the arteries.
Blood flow pulsates with the heart beat and so does blood pressure.
Blue Babies
Babies having a blueness of the skin (cyanosis) caused by insufficient oxygen
in the arterial blood. This often indicates a heart defect, but may have other
causes such as premature birth with impaired respiration.
Bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate.
Brain Damage
A complication which on rare occasions may occur post-operatively if the brain
does not receive an adequate blood supply. This may cause unconsciousness
or convulsions but is usually short-lived and most children make a full recovery.
However in rare cases there may be lasting problems.
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Last Updated: March 2003
Last Reviewed: November 2003
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