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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| PAC | Premature Atrial Contraction. An early beat originating from the top chambers of the heart. |
| Pacemaker | Definition #1: A small mass of specialized cells in the right atrium of the heart, which gives rise to electrical impulses that initiate contractions of the heart. Also called the sinoatrial node or SA node. Under certain circumstances (normal or abnormal), other cardiac tissues may assume the pacemaker role by initiating electrical impulses to stimulate contraction. Definition #2: 'artificial pacemaker' is applied to an electrical device, which substitutes for a defective natural pacemaker to control the beating of the heart by a series of rhythmic electrical discharges. |
| Palpitations | A single or multiple irregular beat usually felt as a skip or monetary cessation of the heartbeat. |
| Patent Ductus Arteriosus | A congenital heart defect in which a small duct, or tube, between the artery leaving the left side of the heart, (the aorta) and the artery leaving the right side of the heart (the pulmonary artery) which normally closes soon after birth remains open. As a result of its failure to close, blood from the left side of the heart is also pumped onto the pulmonary artery and thereby into the lungs. This defect is sometimes called simply patent (or open) ductus. |
| Patent Foramen Ovale | An oval hole between the left and right upper chambers of the heart, which remains open after birth. |
| Pericarditis | Inflammation of the membrane sac, the pericardium, which surrounds the heart. |
| Pericardium | A closed tissue sac surrounding the heart and vessels close to the heart. The space inside the sac, the pericardial cavity, normally contains a fluid, which provides for smooth movements of the heart as it beats. |
| Pulmonary | Pertains to the lungs. |
| Pulmonary Artery | The large artery that normally conveys unoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. This is the only artery in the body which normally carries unoxygenated blood |
| Pulmonary Edema | Fluid congestion of lungs tissues often resulting from critical, congenital or acquired heart or lung disease. |
| Pulmonary Hypertension | High blood pressure, or hypertension, on the blood vessels of the lungs. The most common causes are congenital heart defects. |
| Pulmonary Valve Stenosis | A congenital heart defect in which there is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve, which is situated between the right lower chamber (the ventricle) and the pulmonary artery. |
| Pulmonic Valve | The heart valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. It has three flaps or cusps. |
| PVC | Premature ventricular contraction. An early heart beat originating from the bottom chambers of the heart. |