UHeart Glossary

Adult Stem Cell Therapy is the use of cells from the bone marrow to repair damaged organs. While stem cell therapy is still in the experimental stages, the University of Miami is one of the few institutions that have an active clinical trial studying the use of stem cells for human disease. In one clinical trial, UHealth heart specialists are injecting stems cells into the damaged hearts of patients who have suffered a heart attack. This approach using a patient’s own stem cells has the potential for repairing damaged hearts and has the potential to cure heart failure.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood. It may be quite severe, it can be a squeezing sensation or pressure, and it can also feel like indigestion (upset stomach). It is important to know that when the heart does not get enough blood, sometimes there is no pain or discomfort, instead patients may notice shortness of breath. Elderly patients may only complain of weakness or may appear to be confused. Patients with these types of symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, especially if the symptoms are persistent.

Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve between the main pumping chamber of the heart and the body.  This can occur due to several reasons, but most commonly it occurs because of calcium buildup on the valves. Other causes of aortic stenosis are rheumatic fever and alterations in the valve from birth.  Aortic stenosis can cause chest pain, heart failure, and fainting.  Severe stenosis is treated by replacing the valve through surgery.  UHeart cardiologists are currently studying a new approach by inserting a new valve without surgery.(see also Percutaneous Valve Replacement)

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels causing inflammation and an eventual blockage to form. Atherosclerosis can form in the coronary arteries as well as other major blood vessels carrying blood to the head, kidneys, and legs.  Atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.  The treatment for atherosclerosis includes dietary changes, exercise and medications. Sometimes the blockages from atherosclerosis need to be treated by so-called catheter based therapies such as cardiac catheterization or surgery.

Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) beat in a disorganized fashion or fibrillate.  This causes the heart rhythm to become irregular.  A significant problem from atrial fibrillation is an increased risk for stroke and often patients need to be treated with blood thinners.  UHeart cardiologists can now offer a treatment through catheterization that can cure atrial fibrillation.

Cardiac surgery includes operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the replacement of diseased heart valves, and the repair of major blood vessels.  In addition to these common surgeries, UHeart surgeons are also able to offer advanced procedures such as treatments for heart failure such as implantation of heart assist pumps or heart transplantation.

Catheterization is a common minimally-invasive procedure which uses thin tubes called catheters that are inserted into the body through blood vessels in the arms or legs.  The catheters are used to help diagnose and even treat problems with blood vessels, heart valves or the heart muscle.  UHeart cardiologists can provide a wide spectrum of treatments through catheterization from more common procedures like angioplasty and stenting, to more advanced therapies such as percutaneous valve treatments and stem cell therapies. 

Congenital heart disease are disorders caused by abnormal development and formation of the heart prior to birth.  Many of these problems can be corrected in children and in adult patients by cardiac surgery or by catheterization procedures.

Coronary stents are metal mesh sleeves, implanted by a catheter (a thin plastic tube), that are used to prop open blocked coronary arteries of the heart.  Sometimes stents may be coated with medications, so called drug eluting stents, that release a drug into the blood vessel wall.  In experienced centers, the risk of coronary stenting has fallen dramatically in recent years, and the procedure can be used to improve blood flow to the heart to improve heart function and relieve angina.

Electrophysiology (also known as "EP") is a cardiology subspecialty that focuses on the electrical system of the heart and its abnormalities including abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden cardiac death.  Treatments include medications and implantation of devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators.  UHealth cardiologists can also perform advanced catheterization procedures to cure some arrhythmias.

Heart failure (or congestive heart failure) occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should.  Heart failure can be caused by damage due to a heart attack or by problems caused by high blood pressure or malfunctioning heart valves.  Some types of heart failure are also caused by genetic problems.  UHeart cardiologists are able to provide comprehensive, patient-centered management for heart failure and are researching the genetics of heart failure as well as new treatments such as stem cell therapies.

Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure and can be treated with medications.  Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attacks (myocardial infarction) and strokes.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder that often causes the heart muscle to thicken and can cause dangerous arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).  It is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes.  UHeart physicians can offer clinical and genetic screening for this disorder as well as expert management that can include surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the coronary arteries of the heart causing a sudden blockage and disruption of blood flow.  The blood clot usually forms when an atherosclerotic blockage breaks open.  Signs of a myocardial infarction include pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest; pain or numbness in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness; and collapse.  The key to treating myocardial infarction and preventing permanent damage is rapid rapid treatment, often with a catheterization and angioplasty.

Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement is used to treat severe aortic stenosis by inserting a new valve into the heart through a catheterization.  Still in the experimental phases, UHeart cardiologists have started to perform the procedure in clinical trials.  This procedure is important because it does not require open heart surgery and therefore can be offered to patients who otherwise cannot undergo conventional aortic valve surgery because of age or other health conditions.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an infrequent but serious complication of pregnancy in which the mother’s heart becomes weak.  It is essential to diagnose and treat this disorder because it can affect future pregnancies.  Some patients can have a full or partial recovery, but in some individuals, the heart failure is permanent.

Sudden Cardiac Death is a sudden loss of heart function that is often caused by dangerous arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) that affect the pumping chambers of the heart.  These arrhythmias are called ventricular tachycardia ("VT") or ventricular fibrillation ("VF").  Patients with reduced heart muscle function from heart attacks or other forms of heart failure are at increased risk of these arrhythmias.  Implantation of special pacemakers such as an automatic defibrillator device can be life-saving for such patients.