Abbreviations

Just a suggestion!

Could someone give us newbies a "cheat list" of abbreviations?
EG: PM = pacemaker
BP = blood pressure
ICD = ?
VT = ?
ICD = ?
ARVC = ?
PVC = ?
PVB = ?
etc etc etc

Would be soooooo appreciated to have a general list. Maybe even listed under FORUMS?

Thanks!

Pat

5 Comments

Good Idea!

by cottontop - 2007-09-18 03:09:18

Hi, we forget some of members are new to all the cardiac terms and such. I know just the person for the job. My vote goes to Smitty ! I know several but not all. Maybe Blake could help out. I like the idea of listing them under FORUMS as it would be nice for quick reference. That was a compliment Smitty!!!!


cottontop ( Amy )

Hail Smitty!!!!

by sweetkozy - 2007-09-18 03:09:48

I agree! An abbreviation list would be a fabulous idea! I nominate SMITTY to do the job! He's great and all his posts have been so informative! Smitty, my vote goes to you!

Cheers,
Jenny

answering abbreviations

by Suzanne - 2007-09-18 05:09:18

VT = ?
ICD = ?
ARVC = ?
PVC = ?
PVB =

Hi I just thought I would answer your questions as for the ones I know...my name is Suzanne and it goes like this: VT= V-tachy (which is a dangerous high heart rythm /arrythmia), ICD=defibrilater, ARVC???, PVC =Premature Ventricular contractions and then there are SVT's =supraventricular tachycardia, good luck to you, take care, suzanne

Abbreviations

by SMITTY - 2007-09-18 06:09:26

I just want everyone to know that I was not tricked into believing that you think I am smart because I received two votes for this job. I know all of you just figured I would be sitting on my rump again, doing nothing constructive, and this would keep me busy for a little while. (You were right. It did and it was fun.)

PM - Pacemaker when used in messages found on the Pacemaker Club site and it may be a Pacemaker or ICD. (I found no other use of PM where it meant pacemaker or ICD)

BP - Blood pressure, which results from two forces. What the BP numbers indicate? The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body. The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

PVC - Premature ventricular contractions. Basically, your heart skips a beat and then resumes beating normally until it happens again.

PVB - Premature ventricular beat (PVB) is an extra heartbeat caused by abnormal electrical activity that starts in the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) before a normal heartbeat occurs. This type of beat may not be as effective in pumping blood as a normal heartbeat. Because the PVB interferes with the heart’s normal rhythm and there is a pause before the next heartbeat, it may feel like a heartbeat is skipped.
ARVC - Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a cardiomyopathy that primarily affects the heart muscle in the right ventricle. The ventricular muscle is replaced by fatty or fibrous tissue in a diffuse or spotty process. We performed orthotopic heart transplantations in 3 patients and all patients are alive. When ARVC has progressed to heart failure in the right or left ventricles, orthotopic heart transplantation is an effective therapeutic option.

ICD - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that is implanted in the chest to constantly monitor and correct abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The devices were developed originally to correct heart rhythms that are too fast, but recent technological advances have increased the pool of possible patients who may benefit from an ICD.

ICDs are mainly used to treat two forms of abnormal heart rhythms, both of which occur in the ventricles, or lower pumping chambers of the heart. If the ventricles begin to beat too quickly (ventricular tachycardia), the device may emit low-energy electrical pulses that allow the heart to regain its normal rhythm. If the tachycardia progresses to a very rapid, life-threatening rhythm that causes the ventricles to quiver rather than beat (ventricular fibrillation), the device may deliver a relatively stronger jolt to reset the heart rate (defibrillation).

In recent years, ICDs have also been developed that can treat additional heart rhythms. For example, if the heart rhythm becomes too slow (bradycardia), the ICD may function like a traditional pacemaker, emitting pulses that will increase the heart rate. ICDs can also pace the heart in the event of a mildly elevated heart rate.

VT - Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) produce impulses that make the heart beat too quickly. With this disorder, the heart doesn't fill with enough blood between beats to meet the body's needs.

HR - Heart rate is a count of the beats per minute of the heart.

PAC - Premature atrium contraction. Just like a PVC only a PAC occurs in the atrium and is basically when your heart skips a beat and then resumes beating normally until it happens again.

I'll try to add to these as I am given more abbreviations.

Another one

by ledvinka - 2007-09-28 07:09:31

What is an EP?

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