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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Capillaries
Extremely narrow tubes forming a network between the arterioles and the veins.
The walls are composed of a single layer of cells through which oxygen and
nutrition pass out to the tissues, and carbon dioxide and waste products are
admitted from the tissues into the blood stream.
Carbon Dioxide
Waste produce of chemical reactions in the cells. It passes from the cells
to the blood which eventually releases it in the lungs to be breathed out.
Cardiac
Pertaining to the heart. Sometimes describes a patient who has heart disease.
Cardiac Cycle
One total heart beat, ie. one complete contraction and relaxation of the heart.
In man this normally occupies about 0.85 second, - about 37,000, 000 beats
per year.
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
A machine with a pump and an oxygenator to maintain blood supply to the body
while the heart's action is stopped.
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
Carotid Arteries
The left and right common carotid arteries are the principal arteries supplying
the head and neck. Each has two main branches, external carotid artery and
internal carotid artery.
Catheter
A thin flexible tube which can be guided into body organs. A cardiac catheter
is inserted into a vein or artery (usually an arm or leg) and gently threaded
into the heart. Its progress can be watched on a fluoroscope. It can be used
for diagnosis (to take samples of blood or pressure readings in the chambers
of the heart), treatment, (administer a drug), or to carry out a procedure.
Cholesterol
A fat-like substance found in animal tissue.
Chordae Tendineae
Fibrous chords which serve as guy ropes to hold the mitral and tricuspid valves
secure when the ventricles contract. They stretch from the cusps of the valves
to muscles called papillary muscles in the walls of the ventricle.
Chorea
Involuntary irregular twitching of the muscles some times associated with
rheumatic fever. Also called St Vitus Dance or Sydenham's Chorea.
Circulatory
Pertaining to heart, blood vessels and the circulation of the blood.
Clubbed Fingers
Fingers with a short broad tip and overhanging nail somewhat resembling a
drumstick. This condition is sometimes seen in children with heart conditions.
Coarctation
Literally a pressing together or narrowing of a blood vessel.
Collaterals
Circulation of the blood through nearby smaller vessels when a main vessel
has been blocked.
Compensation
A change in the circulatory system made to compensate for some abnormality.
An adjustment of size of heart or rate of heartbeat made to counterbalance
a defect in structure or function. Often used specifically to describe the
maintenance of adequate circulation in spite of the presence of heart failure.
Conduit
An artificial tube that carries blood and usually has a valve within it. Conduits
are used when it is impossible to repair a valve, to replace a completely
missing valve, or bypass a severe narrowing that can not be corrected.
Congenital Anomaly
An abnormality present at birth.
Congestive Heart Failure
When the heart is unable to adequately pump blood fast enough to meet the
body's needs, pressure builds up in the veins leading to the heart. Congestion
or accumulation of fluid in various parts of the body (lungs, legs, abdomen,
etc.) may result.
Convulsion
A fit or seizure.
Coronary Arteries
Two arteries, arising from the aorta, arching down over the top of the heart,
and carrying blood to the heart muscle.
Coroner
An official who inquires into unnatural death, eg. sudden, unexpected or those
related to procedures or operations.
Cor Pulmonale
Heart disease resulting from disease of the lungs and blood vessels in the
lungs. This is due to resistance to the passage of blood through the lungs.
Cyanosis
Blueness of the skin caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood. Oxygen is
carried in the blood by haemoglobin, which is bright red when saturated with
oxygen, but becomes purple without oxygen.
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Decompensation
Inability of the heart to maintain adequate circulation, usually results in
a waterlogging of tissues. A person whose heart is failing to maintain normal
circulation is said to be "decompensated".
Defibrillator
A device which produces a timed electric shock, which stops an incoordinate
contraction of the heart muscle and restores a normal heart beat.
Dextrocardia
A condition in which the heart lies in the right (instead of the left) side
of the chest. The heart may be normal otherwise, or may have additional congenital
defects.
Dilation
Stretching or enlargement of the heart blood vessels.
Diaphragm
Important muscle of breathing that separates the chest from the abdomen.
Diastole
The phase of the heart's cycle during which it relaxes and fills its chambers
with blood.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
The lower of the blood pressure readings.
Drain
A tube used to move fluid or air from the body.
Drip
A means of getting nutrients and drugs into the body through a vein.
Dysphagia
Difficulty with swallowing.
Dyspnoea
Difficult or laboured breathing.
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Last Updated: March 2003
Last Reviewed: November 2003
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