Glossary

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Ablation: Obliteration or removal of tissue

Ablation catheter: Catheter with a special tip for tissue removal

Absorbable metal stent (AMS): A small magnesium meshwork tube that supports the blood vessel and is progressively absorbed by the body (BIOTRONIK® technology)

Aneurysm: Enlargement/bulging of the heart or a blood vessel

Angina pectoris: Chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart

Angiography: Examination procedure for showing the blood vessels using X-ray technology and a contrast media

Angioplasty: Expansion of narrowed blood vessels using a balloon catheter; expanding the balloon under pressure causes deposits (plaque) to be pressed against the vessel wall, restoring the blood flow; see also PTA/PTCA

Anti-arrhythmic agents: Medication used to treat arrhythmias

Antibradycardia pacing: Delivery of electroshocks to the myocardium to normalize a slowed cardiac rhythm

Aorta: The body's largest artery. It transports the oxygenated blood from the heart to the circulatory system

Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis: Narrowing or occlusion of an artery caused by deposits on the inner arterial wall

Artery: Blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood from the heart to circulatory system, and deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Asystole: Cardiac arrest

Atrial: Pertaining to the chamber in the upper half of the heart (on both the left and right sides)

AV node: The bundle of nerves located in the lower part of the atrium that conducts the signals coming from the sinus node; a part of the conduction system