Glossary

To assist you in caring for your heart, we have provided short summaries of the different types of heart disease below. We have also included descriptions of Heart Center's Services, including noninvasive and minimally invasive diagnostic evaluation, as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures that can dramatically lower trauma and discomfort to the patient and shorten recovery time.

Arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmias, can cause minor to serious risk. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, excessive use of alcohol, drug abuse and stress can all contribute to it. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or fainting. If left untreated, arrhythmias can lead to death. Treatment of this disease includes medication, lifestyle changes and surgery.

Balloon Angioplasty

A special catheter with a small balloon device at its tip may be inflated within a coronary artery to open or enlarge a severe narrowing.

Balloon Valvuloplasty

A catheter with a balloon at its tip may be inflated within a narrowed heart valve.

Bronchoscopy

The process of inserting a tube with a camera attached into the lung to examine the lungs.

Cardiac or Coronary Angiography

Angiography (X-ray movies) requires injection of a dye containing iodine (a contrast agent) through the catheter to outline the inside structure of your heart and blood vessels.

Coronary Atherectomy

A special catheter is used to shave off and remove the blockage from inside a coronary artery.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

An artificial tube or a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is surgically attached to make a new pathway around the blocked part of your artery.

Coronary Artery Disease

CAD is when the buildup of plaque, consisting of fatty deposits in the arteries, blocks the flow of blood through the vessels. Clogged arteries can cause a blood clot and lead to a heart attack. The process may occur over a period of years and high-risk factors for this disease include aging, gender (male), lack of exercise, being overweight, diet, stress, smoking and heredity. Treatment includes medications and surgery, including bypass and angioplasty.

Coronary Stents

One or more special metal mesh tubes are placed within an artery and opened once they are in place, to relieve blockage. This requires a special blood-thinning regimen to prevent clot formation.

Electrophysiology Studies

Studies done to diagnose and assist in the treatment of abnormal heart beats.

Heart Failure

When the heart can't pump blood as fast as needed, there may be heart failure. Blood flows slower throughout the body and raises heart pressure. Heart failure can be caused by heart attack, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, alcohol abuse and congenital heart disease. Treatment of this condition can be controlled with medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes including diet and exercise.

Heart Valve Repair & Replacement

To prevent further damage or protect valves, and to reduce symptoms, medication and surgery to repair or replace a defective heart valve may be necessary.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

An internal device to treat tachyarrythmia (excessively rapid, irregular heartbeat)

Minimally invasive beating-heart surgery

The Heart Center's cardiovascular team pioneered this procedure in Hawaii. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, a small incision is made in the patient's chest rather than the long central incision. In addition, the patient is not put on a heart-lung machine (used in conventional procedures to add oxygen to the blood and pump blood through the body while the heart is stopped during surgery). Not having to be connected to the heart-lung machine reduces trauma to the patient. The surgery is performed while the heart is beating. Recovery is much quicker and the reduced trauma makes heart surgery an option for patients who would not otherwise be candidates for surgery.

Pacemakers

A pacemaker is an electronic device used to help regulate heart rhythm by creating regular electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to beat.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

An ultrasound of the heart combined with an endoscopy procedure, allowing pictures of the heart to be taken from the esophagus. (Endoscopy is the process of inserting a tube down the throat)

Valve Disease

Developed before birth or during growing or adult years, this disease occurs when the heart's valves work improperly. Some causes include: coronary artery disease, heart attack,cardiomyopathy(heart muscle disease), syphilis, hypertension, aortic aneurysms, connective tissue diseases and, less commonly, tumors, some types of drugs and radiation.

To prevent further damage, protect valves, and reduce symptoms, medication and surgery to repair or replace valves may be necessary.

Vascular Disease

All three types of vascular disease, peripheral arterial disease (affecting blood flow to arms and legs), carotid artery disease (affecting the arteries taking blood to the brain), and renal artery disease (affecting blood flow to the kidneys) are most commonly caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Causes include: cigarette smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, stress, age, and high blood pressure. Prevention of vascular disease can occur if one stops smoking, manages diabetes, exercises regularly, eats healthily, and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.