Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms

[TracyAdmin]

Many individuals approach us with requests to what many of the medical abbreviations mean? Please find below some of the many abbreviations\acronyms commonly used.

We hope that this helps but if there are any others we've missed, please feel free to comment below or contact me direct [e-mail]

AF / AFib - Atrial Fibrillation

HF - Heart Failure

EP - Electrophysiologist, a cardiologist specialising in heart rhythms

PAF- Paroxysmal (ie occasional) Atrial Fibrillation

PVI - Pulmonary Vein Isolation - ablation treatment for AF

PVC - Premature Ventricular contractions, extra beats that make your heart feel like it's flip flopping

PACs - similar to a PVC but this is a premature atrial contraction, they often result in PVCs

INR - International Normalised Ratio - indicates coagulation time ratio to normal for warfarin patients

PIP = Pill in Pocket = medication taken as when needed rather than regularly

QOL = Quality of life

DOAC - Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Many doctors are referring to them as this now)

NSR - Normal Sinus Rhythm - a heart rhythm not in any arrhythmia

TOE = Trans Oesophageal Echocardiogram. They put a camera down your throat to look at your heart with ultrasound.

CV = cardioversion, more properly DCCV Direct current cardioversion. They shock your heart to re-boot the natural pacemaker.

ECG / EKG - Electrocardiogram - a simple test used to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity

Please feel free to visit our webpage: afa.org.uk to view some of our many helpful patient resources, videos and upcoming events!

[BobD Volunteer]

This was in response to requests over the weekend. Unfortunately there is no way that the post can remain at the top of the list as any future pinned posts will push it down but at least it will be viewable for a while. .

[Vonnegut]

Please can you explain what sinus rhythm with supraventricular ectopy is exactly and whether I should be concerned about it and if I should tell my doctor I am experiencing it. It never seems to last long.

[ochinee]

Maybe some others to consider adding...

bpm (obvious I know but some newer people to heart diseases might not know it)

TIA Transient Ischemic Attack

LAA Left Atrial Appendage

TEE Transesophageal Echocardiogram

[Taviterry]

TAVI = transcatheter aortic valve implantation. (Or TAVR= Transcatheter aortic valve replacement)

SAVR = Surgical aortic valve replacement