Heart & Cardiovascular Terminology

A degenerative cardiac disease where the mitral valve leaflets thicken and leak, allowing blood to back up into the left atrium.

A clinical syndrome where the heart cannot pump adequate blood forward, causing fluid to congest and back up into the lungs or body cavities.

A serious, potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by foot-long worms residing in the pulmonary arteries and heart.

A sudden, temporary loss of consciousness and postural muscle tone followed by spontaneous, rapid recovery.

A sudden, explosive defensive reflex to clear the airways of mucus, foreign material, or irritating secretions.

A non-invasive ultrasound examination of the heart that evaluates cardiac chamber dimensions, muscle thickness, valve function, and blood flow velocity.

A non-invasive diagnostic imaging modality using ionizing radiation to produce two-dimensional shadow projections of internal bones, lungs, and organs.

An inodilator that strengthens cardiac muscle contractions and dilates blood vessels to manage canine heart disease and failure.

A potent loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys to rapidly clear fluid accumulation from heart failure.

A dual-leaflet one-way heart valve that prevents blood from flowing backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during heart contractions.