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: heartrhythmalliance.org to view some of our many helpful patient resources, videos and upcoming events!

[deniseinmilden]

Thank you Tracy!

That's really useful. Every medical dx comes with its own list of abbreviations and acronyms so knowing some of these these heart ones is really helpful.

[PlanetaryKim]

That's very helpful. Thanks!