Clinical Terms: CARDIOVASCULAR
from Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology; 10th ed. 

Anastomosis- Connection between two blood vessels
sometimes produced surgically.

Angiospasm- muscular spasm in the wall of a blood vessel.

Arteriography- injection of radiopaque solution
into the vascular system for an x-ray examination
of arteries.

Asystole- condition in which the myocardium fails to contract.

Cardiac tamponade- contraction of the heart by
fluid accumulating within the pericardial cavity.

Congestive heart failure- inability of the
left ventricle to pump adequate blood to cells.

Cor pulmonale- heart-lung disorder of pulmonary
hypertension and hypertrophy of the right ventricle.

Embolectomy- removal of an embolus through an
incision in a blood vessel.

Endarterectomy- removal of the inner wall of
an artery to reduce an arterial occlusion.

Palpitation- awareness of a heartbeat that is
unusually rapid, strong, or irregular.

Pericardiectomy- excision of the pericardium.

Phlebitis- inflammation of a vein, usually
in the lower limbs.

Phlebotomy- incision or puncture of a vein
to draw blood.

Sinus rhythm- The normal cardiac rhythm
regulated by  the S-A node.

Thrombophlebitis- formation of a blood clot in a
vein in response to inflammation of the venous wall.

Valvotomy- incision of a valve.

Venography- injection of a radiopaque solution
into the vascular system for ex-ray examination of veins.