Glossary

The thick, muscular tubes that carry blood away from the heart

The upper chambers of the heart. Oxygen-poor blood travels from the right atrium to the right ventricle and out to the lungs. Oxygen-rich blood travels from the left atrium to the left ventricle and out to the body.

The rotor pushes the blood in a direction parallel to the blood pump shaft.

The conversion of blood into a semisolid gel.

Medication used to prevent blood clots or keep the blood in a liquid form.

An extensive network of flexible tubes that carries blood to and from the heart and throughout the body. The blood vessels are the transportation system of the body. The blood vessels include arteries, capillaries, and veins.

Tubes that connect the heart and blood vessels to the pump.

Also referred to as a "heart-lung machine." Refers to a technique, used during a surgical procedure, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs, maintaining the circulation of blood throughout the body.

Of or relating to a surgical procedure in which a catheter containing medications or miniature instruments is inserted into a blood vessel for the treatment of vascular disease.

A tube created by using portions of another artery or vein from the patient’s body or synthetic materials to reroute blood around a blockage.

A heartbeat consists of the contraction of the atria, quickly followed by the contraction of the ventricles. The rate of the heartbeat varies according to the different levels of activity: the higher the level of activity or emotional excitement, the faster the heart will beat.

The four sections of the heart through which blood is pumped. The two upper chambers are called the left atrium and right atrium. The two lower chambers are the left and right ventricles. Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs enters the left atrium, while oxygen-depleted blood from the rest of the body flows into the right atrium. Both atria simultaneously pump blood into the ventricles. The ventricles then pump the blood to the lungs (from right ventricle) and to the rest of the body (from the left ventricle).

The inability of the heart to pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body to meet the body’s metabolic needs.

The destruction of the red blood cells with the liberation of hemoglobin, which diffuses into the surrounding fluid.

The medical doctors who specialize in performing minimally invasive procedures, such as cardiac catheterization or angioplasty, to diagnose and treat heart disease.

The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the left and right pulmonary veins.

The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aorta and to the rest of the body.

Is a small incision along the patient’s ribs to open the chest.

Death of myocardial tissue (heart muscle).

Returning/improving blood flow to the myocardium (heart muscle).

Marked limitation of physical activity; comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes fatigue or dyspnea. This classification was established by the New York Heart Association (NYHA).

Unable to carry on any physical activity without symptoms; symptoms are present even at rest and increase if any physical activity is undertaken. This classification was established by the New York Hospital Association (NYHA).

A micro-pump device is a battery-operated, mechanical pump device which is designed to be implanted for long-term support of earlier stage chronic heart failure. It is designed to work together with the native heart to increase cardiac output and improve or relieve the symptoms of chronic heart failure.

The pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

Receives oxygen depleted blood from the body and passes it on to the right ventricle.

Receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it through the pulmonary artery into the lungs where it is enriched with oxygen.

The rotating part inside a tube or conduit to increase the pressure and flow of a fluid.

A surgical procedure in which a vertical incision is made along the sternum (the breast bone), after which the sternum itself is divided, or "cracked,” allowing access to the heart and/or lungs.

Placed beneath the skin.

A blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel or a cavity of the heart.

Across a septum.

A ventricular assist device is a battery-operated, mechanical pump-type device that is surgically implanted to treat end-stage heart failure. It helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that cannot effectively work on its own and is used primarily to support end-stage heart failure patients.

Flap-like structures that maintain blood flow in one direction only, through the heart.

The lower chambers of the heart. The right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary artery and to the lungs. The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aorta and to the rest of the body.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Food and Drug Administration

Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support

New York Heart Association