Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Careers & Professional Terminology
cardiology: the study of the heart and its disorders
cardiology technologists: perform diagnostic tests such as electrocardiography, stress testing, Holter monitor testing, and ambulatory blood pressure testing, as well as pacemaker monitoring and programming
cardiologist: a physician specializing in cardiology
cardiovascular perfusionists: responsible for operation of the heart-lung bypass machine during open heart surgery; also monitor the patient’s vitals, administering IV fluids and other drugs
Imaging Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System
coronary angiogram: a visual record of coronary angiography
coronary angiography: a procedure that uses contrast dye, usually containing iodine, and x-ray pictures to detect blockages in the coronary arteries that are caused by plaque buildup
Surgical Techniques/Medical Procedures/Diagnostic Procedures/Medications Used with the Organ System
artificial cardiac pacemaker: a small, battery-operated medical device that generates electrical impulses delivered by electrodes to cause the heart muscle chambers to contract and pump blood
auscultation: listening to a patient’s heart sounds
automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator: an electronic implant that provides an automatic shock to convert a dangerous heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm
cardiac catheterization: a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart to diagnose or treat certain heart conditions
catheter ablation: Using extreme heat or extreme cold to destroy cells in parts of the heart that were causing abnormal rhythms
coronary artery bypass graft: a nonvital superficial vessel from another part of the body (often the great saphenous vein) or a synthetic vessel is inserted to create a path around the blocked area of a coronary artery
coronary stent: a tiny coil of wire mesh that supports the walls of a coronary artery and helps prevent it from re-narrowing after angioplasty
echocardiogram: a visual record using sound to record the heart
echocardiography: Process of using sound to record the heart.
electrocardiogram: a visual record of the electrical impulses in the heart
electrocardiograph: a device used to create an electrocardiogram
electrocardiography: the process of recording the electrical impulses of the heart
exercise stress test: a test that shows how the heart works during physical activity
pericardiocentesis: removal of pericardial fluid for treatment or testing
valvuloplasty: surgical repair of a heart valve
Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Organ System
ACS: acute coronary syndrome
Afib: atrial fibrillation
AICD: automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator
AV: atrioventricular
CAD: coronary artery disease
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
ECG/EKG: electrocardiogram
ECHO: echocardiogram
HF: heart failure
HHD: hypertensive heart disease
MI: myocardial infarction
Medical Terms Practice
For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.