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  • Arteries
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  • Cardio Terms
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• Cardio Terms

- D -

• D/C

Discontinue / discharge.



• D1 or D2

Diagonal branch of the lad artery.



• D5W

Dextrose 5% in water.



• DBP

Diastolic blood pressure.



• Decortication

In thoracic surgery, decortication refers to a surgical procedure done to free a fibrous capsule that has formed around the lung, secondary to an inflammatory process, such as an infection. Ordinarily there is a potential space between the lung and the inside of the chest wall, with this space 'lubricated' by a thin layer of fluid. In some conditions, such as pneumonia, or after an episode of bleeding in the chest, this space can fill with fluid which can eventually solidify and form a capsule around the lung. As the capsule grows, it can entrap the lung and cause problems with breathing. In a decortication operation, the surgeon works to remove this capsule and free the lung so that it can function normally.



• Defib

Defibrillate.



• DHCA

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.



• Dialysis

The process of separating crystalloids and colloids in solution by the difference in their rates of diffusion through a semipermeable membrane, used to remove metabolites and toxins from body fluids.



• Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscular fibrous partition that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The diaphraphm contracts and relaxes with respiration and is a significant part of helping a person breathe normally.



• Diastole

Referring to the period of time during relaxation of the ventricle(s).



• DIC

Disseminated intravascular coagulapathy; an abnormal process that occurs when clot formation and clot lysis occurs simultaneously in the microcirculation.



• Diffusion

The spontaneous mixing of the molecules of two or more substances from an area of high concentration to low, resulting from random thermal motion: it's rate is proportional to the concentrations of the substances and increases with the temperature.



• DILV

Double inlet left ventricle.



• Disinfection

The process of removing or decreasing the number of micro-organisms from an area or surface. Disinfection is usually done with cleaning the area or surface with a chemical that has known anti-microbial properties.



• Dissection Of The Aorta (AORTIC DISSECTION)

A condition of the aorta in which the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing the blood flowing across the tear to enter the tear and flow between the layers of the aorta. As the blood travels between the layers of the aorta the blood is separating or 'dissecting' the layers of the aorta. The aorta is made up of 3 layers. When the inner layer tears, the blood dissects the intima away from the outer two layers. The cause of the intimal tear can be high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or trauma. Aortic dissections can occur in any portion of the aorta and can become serious or life-threatening. Although they are not true aneurysms, dissections are sometimes referred to as aneurysms or dissecting aneurysms because they can expand and resemble aneurysms of the aorta. Dissections of the ascending aorta and aortic arch are considered surgical emergencies. Dissections of the descending thoracic aorta are often treated medically, but may require surgery depending on certain indications.



• DKS

Damus-kaye-stansel.



• DM

Diabetes mellitus.



• DOE

Dyspnea on exertion.



• DOLV

Double outlet left ventricle.



• DORV

Double outlet right ventricle.



• DVT

Deep venous thrombosis.



• Dyspnea

The medical term for difficult or labored breathing. Dyspnea occurs from a variety of causes such as asthma attacks, acute laryngitis in children, weakness of the heart, and congestive heart failure.