Thoracic Key

M-O Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome—also called syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, and multiple metabolic syndrome—is a cluster of conditions characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood glucose (type 2…

P-Q Patent ductus arteriosus The ductus arteriosus is a fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta, just distal to the left subclavian artery. During fetal development,…

H-L Heart failure Heart failure is a term used to describe the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to the body’s tissues. This inability typically results from a complex set…

C Cardiac arrhythmias In cardiac arrhythmias (sometimes called cardiac dysrhythmias), abnormal electrical conduction or automaticity alters the normal heart rate and rhythm. (See Comparing normal and abnormal conduction.) Arrhythmias vary…

F-G Femoral and popliteal aneurysms Femoral and popliteal aneurysms (sometimes called peripheral arterial aneurysms) are the end result of progressive atherosclerotic changes in the medial layer of these major peripheral…

E Endocarditis Endocarditis (also known as infective or bacterial endocarditis) is a bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardium, heart valves, or cardiac prosthesis. Untreated, endocarditis usually is fatal. With…

D Dilated cardiomyopathy Dilated cardiomyopathy results from extensively damaged myocardial muscle fibers. This disorder interferes with myocardial metabolism and grossly dilates all four chambers of the heart, giving the heart…

A Abdominal aneurysm An aneurysm is an abnormal dilation in an arterial wall. In the abdomen, dilation typically occurs in the aorta between the renal arteries and iliac branches. The…