Glossary
This glossary is available to help you understand complicated terms you will see on this website and may hear from your cardiologist, TAVR Doctor, or Heart Team as you learn about severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, also known as heart valve failure. Be sure to check with your doctor if you have any questions.
A
Anesthesia
Temporary loss of feeling or awareness induced by a medical professional during a surgical procedure.
Angina
Chest pain caused by poor blood supply to the heart.
Angiogram
A medical imaging test that uses x-rays and dyes to see how blood flows through an artery or a vein.
Angioplasty
A procedure that uses an inflatable balloon on a thin tube to internally widen a narrowed blood vessel.
Aortic Stenosis
The most common type of heart valve disease. Narrowing of the aortic valve that prevents normal blood flow and makes the heart work harder. Doctors will typically categorize it as mild, moderate, or severe stage which depends on how damaged your aortic valve is.
Aortic Valve
The valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the aorta (largest artery that carries blood to the rest of the body).
Artery
Blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical signals throughout the upper chambers of the heart.
Auscultation
Listening to the sounds of your heart using a stethoscope.
B
Balloon Valvuloplasty (BAV)
A procedure in which a balloon catheter is inserted through an artery into the heart. The balloon is then inflated to open the narrowed valve.
C
Calcification
A buildup of calcium on tissue. In the aortic valve, it can reduce the ability for leaflets to open and close properly.
D
Diabetes
A condition in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high.
Diagnostic Tests
Tests that help your doctor confirm if you have aortic stenosis. Some of these tests include echocardiogram (also called echo), cardiac catheterization, chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram (also called EKG).
Download
To receive a copy of a file, program or document that can be saved and viewed from your computer. The downloaded file may open in a separate window, may be minimized at the bottom of the web browser, or may be located within your computer’s downloads folder.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath.
E
Echocardiogram (echo)
This diagnostic test uses sound wave technology, or ultrasound, to show three-dimensional images of the heart to better assess its function.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
A diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the heart, such as heart rate and rhythm.
F
Fatigue
A feeling of being extremely tired or having low energy.
Femoral Artery
The largest blood vessel in the leg that supplies blood to the lower part of the body.
Fluoroscopy
An x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.
Frailty
Increased physical and mental weakness that is often associated with older age.
H
Heart and Lung Blood Machine
A device used during open heart procedures to remove blood from the body. The blood is enriched with oxygen and then returned to the body.
Heart Failure
When the heart is unable to pump blood to the body’s organs and maintain their function.
Heart Murmur
An abnormal heart sound that may indicate heart valve disease.
Heart Valve Disease
In heart valve disease, one or more of the valves in your heart doesn't properly work. Aortic stenosis is the most common type of heart valve disease, affecting millions of people in the U.S.
Heart Valve Failure
Heart Valve Failure is another term for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. It is dangerous because the aortic valve has severe buildup of calcium, and has a difficult time opening and closing.
I
Intensive care unit (ICU)
A hospital unit that provides constant care to patients.
Intermediate or greater risk
Risk is assessed by evaluating a patient’s current health and likelihood of experiencing major complications as a result of undergoing open heart surgery.
Interventional Cardiologist
Doctor who specialises in catheter-based treatments for the heart or coronary artery diseases (in most cases this is the doctor who performs TAVI).
Invasive procedure
A medical procedure that requires entry into the body (usually by cutting skin and inserting instruments into body) and involves a longer recovery period.
L
Leaflets
Triangular-shaped flaps of tissue within heart valves that open and close to control blood flow.
Less invasive procedure
A medical procedure performed with a small incision and specialised equipment.
Life-threatening bleeding event
Dangerous blood loss due to blood vessel injury.
Local anesthesia
A drug that temporarily numbs a small area of the skin.
M
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic test that uses magnetic and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the heart and other organs.
Minimal incision valve surgery
A surgical technique for replacing a diseased valve that does not require a large incision or cutting through the entire breastbone.
Minimally-invasive procedure
A procedure that can be performed through a small incision, which typically leads to a faster recovery.
Mitral Valve
The valve that controls blood flow from the heart’s left upper chamber to the left lower chamber.
O
Open heart surgery
A surgical procedure where the chest is cut open to repair damage to the heart.
P
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
A disease of the blood vessels resulting in a decrease in circulation to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys.
Progressive
Relating to disease, a condition that will continue to get worse.
Pulmonary Valve
The valve that controls blood flow from the heart into the lungs.
R
Rheumatic Fever
Inflammation that occurs throughout the body, especially in the heart, if strep throat goes untreated.
S
Stroke
The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain.
Syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness or fainting.
T
Transaortic approach
A way to replace your aortic valve through a small incision in the upper chest.
Transapical approach
A way to replace your aortic valve through a small incision in the chest between the ribs.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
A procedure that replaces an unhealthy aortic valve through a catheter.
Transfemoral approach
A way to replace your aortic valve through a small incision in the leg.
Tricuspid Valve
The valve that controls blood flow from heart’s upper right chamber to lower right chamber.
U
Ultrasound
A diagnostic test that uses sound waves to obtain images of blood flow and your body’s internal structure.
V
Vein
Blood vessels that return blood to the heart.
Do not delay getting your heart checked. Visit your doctor today.
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