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Glossary
C
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Computerized tomography (CT or CT scan) |
A diagnostic procedure involving the use of computers and multiple X-ray images to provide cross-sectional images of body tissue, giving more detailed images than regular X-rays. |
| Congenital heart defect |
structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth; can contribute to many types of heart disease, including heart failure |
| Congestive heart failure |
Houtdated term for heart failure, the inability of the heart to fill with or pump out enough blood to meet the body's needs |
| continuous wave Doppler |
a hand-held device that uses reflected sound waves to allow your doctor to listen to blood flow in your legs; used to diagnose chronic vein disease |
| contrast angiogram |
a diagnostic test that produces an X-ray movie of the blood vessels and blood flowing through them; the “gold standard” test for diagnosing artery disease and determining how widespread and severe the narrowing or blockages are |
| contrast angiogram of the neck |
a diagnostic test that uses an injected dye and an X-ray camera to produce a movie of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck; the gold standard test for carotid artery disease |
| Contrast dye |
See Radioactive tracer. |
| Coronary arteries |
The small arteries that provide the heart muscle with a constant flow of oxygen-rich blood. There are four major coronary arteries that encircle the heart, supplying blood to the front, back, sides, and bottom of the heart muscle. |
| Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) |
Surgery to restore blood flow to the heart muscle. Blood vessels, usually taken from the legs or chest wall, are grafted around damaged sections of the coronary arteries, rerouting blood to the heart muscle. |
| Coronary artery disease (CAD) |
Heart disease caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries and consequent reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle. Also known as coronary heart disease. |
| Coronary care unit |
The specialized facility in a hospital or emergency mobile unit that is equipped with monitoring devices and staffed with trained personnel, designed specifically to treat heart patients. |
| Coronary spasm |
An involuntary contraction of a coronary artery that temporarily blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. It usually occurs in an artery that is already narrowed by atherosclerosis and can cause a heart attack. |
| Cotinine |
A byproduct of the chemical nicotine. |
| CT angiogram |
a diagnostic test that uses X-rays and an injected dye to produce 3-dimensional images of the blood vessels and surrounding tissues; used to diagnose peripheral artery disease |
| CT angiography |
a diagnostic test that uses a special dye and a CT scanner to produce detailed images of blood vessels; an alternative to conventional angiography |
