Glossary of Terms
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Ebstein's malformation | Abnormal formation of the tricuspid valve allowing for leakage of valve and enlarged right atrium and right ventricle. |
| Echo or Echocardiogram | A picture of the heart and vessels made by echocardiography. Also called a cardiac ultrasound. |
| Echocardiography | A diagnostic method in which pulses of high-frequency sound, called ultrasound are transmitted into the body and the echoes returning from the heart and other structures are made into an electronic picture. These pictures are then studied for diagnostic purposes. |
| Edema | Abnormally large amounts of fluid in the tissues of the body. |
| Eisenmenger's Syndrome | A condition in which a large congenital shunting defect is complicated by irreversible pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. A shunting defect is an abnormal opening between the heart chambers, called a septal defect, or between the great arteries, such as patent ductus arteriosus. Some oxygen-poor blood gets pumped to the body and results in cyanosis of the lips, fingernails, and toenails. |
| Electrocardiogram | Often referred to as ECG or EKG. A graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart. The word 'electrocardiogram' most often refers to a resting electrocardiogram, that is, the patient is lying at rest while the recording is being made. The recording can also be made during exercise or when the patient is walking about. |
| Endocardial Cushion Defect | A complex congenital heart malformation involving the septum, or wall, between the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, and the septum, or wall, between the lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. The valves between the upper and lower chambers are also malformed. |
| Endocardititis | An infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves. |
| Enlarged Heart | A state in which the heart is larger than normal, most often related to a birth defect or underlying disease. Rarely may represent a normal variant. The medical definition of cardiomegaly. |
| Extra Beats/Skipped Beats | Single or multiple irregular beats, or palpitations, usually felt as a skip or momentary cessation or the heartbeat. |