Glossary

Alarming form of extra heart beats (extrasystoles) occurring in series (4 and more)

An instrument that has been developed to measure individual quality of life. The use of SEIQoL-DW overcomes the problem of predetermined questions, which assume that each person’s quality of life is affected by the same determinants and that different aspects of life are equally important for everyone. SEIQoL-DW assesses determinants that contribute to individuals' quality of life.

1.    Aortic valve,
2.     Pulmonary valve, each comprising three half-moon-shaped cusps

Functional correction (palliative operation); atrial switch in transposition of the great arteries (TGA); common up to about 1990 instead of the arterial switch operation; see also Mustard operation

Definite corrective surgery for compound congenital cardiac defects to separate the pulmonary and systemic circulations

Creation of a septum, e.g. between the atria when the septum is missing

Removal of a septum, e.g. the atrial septum

Partitioning wall e.g. between the atria and the ventricles

A multi-purpose, short-form health survey with 36 questions. It yields an 8-scale profile of functional health and well-being scores and provides a psychometrically-based physical and mental health summary. It is a generic measure rather than one that targets a specific age, disease, or treatment group. SF-36 has proven useful in surveys of general and specific populations, comparing the relative burden of diseases, and in differentiating the health benefits from a wide range of different treatments. SF-36 is a measure of health status rather than of quality of life or health-related quality of life.

Varying combination of the following left heart defects:
aortic isthmus stenosis, mitral stenosis (parachute-shaped valve) and (sub-) aortic stenosis

Bypass between areas that are not normally connected

Amount of blood that flows through a shunt

Slow cardiac arrhythmia due to malfunction of the sinus nodes

Heart defect whereby only one ventricle functions normally

Part of the conductive system; found in the right atrial septum; stimulates the heartbeat with electrical impulses

Sick sinus syndrome

Normal cardiac rhythm

Somewhat dilated section immediately after the aortic valve that forms the root of the aorta. Origin of the coronary vessels

A sac (aneurysm) that forms at a weak point in the connective tissue of the aortic wall, can rupture. Possible results: constriction of the coronary arteries, aortic valve insufficiency

Type of ASD that lies high in the atrial septum, frequently with anomalous drainage of the right superior pulmonary vein into the right (not left) atrium

Mirror-image reversal of organs

Affecting or relating to the body

Ultrasonic examination

Diagnostic procedure for establishing, for example, the presence of  heart defects. Images of the inner organs can be created with the help of ultrasound (non-invasive)

Anomaly of the spinal cord

Measurement of physical exertion (ergometry) while simulataneously determining breath-time-volume and oxygen uptake

Stricture or abnormal narrowing

Narrowed

Wire mesh-like vascular support, e.g. to maintain an opening following balloon dilation

Surgical procedure to open the thorax with a vertical incision

Breastbone

Instrument with which to listen to heart sounds

Stimulation rate e.g. by a pacemaker

Condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other—squinting or ‘cross-eyed’

Bacterial germs that cause, for example, endocarditis

The volume of blood expelled by the heart with each contraction. Used to calculate cardiac output (CO) = heartbeat per minute x stroke volume

The heart is a muscular organ consisting of two halves that are separated from one another by the cardiac septum. Each half is subdivided into a weaker atrium and a stronger ventricle. The heart is embedded in a sac made of conjunctive tissue and known as the pericardium. The heart muscle is referred to as the myocardium and is lined towards the cardiac cavity by a thin layer of tissue (endocardium). The right atrium receives deoxygenated (venous) blood from the body and pumps it into the right ventricle. This then pumps it via the pulmonary artery into the lungs. The blood comes into contact with tidal air and absorbs oxygen via the thin membranes of the pulmonary alveoli. The oxygenated (arterial) blood then flows into the left atrium and on to the left ventricle. From here it is then pumped into the aorta. Four cardiac valves regulate the flow of blood. The tricuspid and mitral valves close to prevent backflow to the atria during contraction of the cardiac chambers (systole). The pulmonary and aortic valves (semilunar valves) prevent the backflow of blood into the chambers during relaxation of the cardiac chambers (diastole). The AV valves open and the cardiac chambers refill with blood. All cardiac valves are formed by the endocardium and held in place by the tendinous chords (heart strings). The walls of the left heart are thicker than those of the right heart as it has to generate much greater pressure. The coronary vessels supply the heart with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood.

Subvalvular aortic stenosis, constriction below the aortic valve in the left ventricular outflow tract

Surgical procedure (babies) for aortic isthmus stenosis. A piece of artery (artery subclavia) is used as a patch to extend the constricted section of the aorta

Subvalvular pulmonary stenosis, i.e. constriction below the pulmonary valve in the infundibulum

Manner of death in connection with electrical problems of the heart, usually caused by ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (as opposed to the heart infarct with damage to the cardiac muscle resulting from a blocked artery). Can also occur as the result of a myocardial rupture or a total AV block. An AICD system can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death

Above the valve

Above the ventricle

See arterial switch operation

Part of the sympathetic nervous system that stimulates increased cardiac activity

Sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, faint. Also occur in connection with cardiac defects or cardiac arrhythmias

Clinical picture, characterised by a collection of symptoms (eg Down’s Syndrome)

Main, arterial circulation of blood through the body

The period of contraction of the heart (tightening, contraction of the cardiac muscle); blood is driven out, the heart empties, and the blood is pressed into the pulmonary artery and the aorta

The upper blood pressure value, e.g. 120/80 mm Hg