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Anastomosis (Anastomoses - Plural)
1. A natural communication, direct or indirect, between two blood vessels or other tubular structures. 2. An operative union of two hollow or tubular structures.

Angina Pectoris
A clinical syndrome typically characterized by a deep, poorly localized chest or arm discomfort that is reproducibly associated with physical exertion or emotional stress and relieved promptly by rest or sublingual nitroglycerine (NTG).

Angiographically Significant CAD
Coronary artery disease is typically judged "significant" at coronary angiography if there is at least a 70 percent diameter stenosis of one or more major epicardial coronary segments or at least a 50 percent diameter stenosis of the left main coronary artery.

Anterior
Front of the body or towards the front of the body.

Anticoagulant
Any agent that inhibits coagulation. (See Heparin and Hirudin.)

Aorta
The large single artery arising from the left ventricle carrying oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

Aortic
Of or pertaining to the aorta.

Aortic Valve
The semilunar valve separating the left ventricle from the aorta that prevents backflow of blood into the ventricle.

Aortotomy
A surgical incision into the aorta.

Arrhythmia
Any deviation from the normal pattern of the heartbeat. Kinds of arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, heart block, premature atrial contraction and sinus arrhythmia.

Arteriole
Small muscular vessels that are formed from the small branches of arteries; the arterioles then branch to form the capillaries.

Arteriosclerosis
The process of thickening and loss of elasticity in the walls of arteries.

Arteriotomy
Any surgical incision into the lumen of an artery, e.g., to remove an embolus.

Artery
A relatively thick-walled, muscular pulsating blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. With the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries, the arteries convey red or aerated blood to the tissues of the body ending in small branches.

Atherosclerosis
A form of arteriosclerosis in which atheromas containing cholesterol, lipid material and lipophages are formed within the intima and inner media of large and medium-sized arteries.

Atrial
Of, or referring to, the atrium or atria.

Atrial Fibrillation
An atrial arrhythmia characterized by rapid randomized contractions of the atrial myocardium, causing a totally irregular, often rapid ventricular rate.

Atrium
The small antechamber of the heart which receives blood from the lungs and body.

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