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Medical Dictionary



Medical Dictionary

A

AA Alcoholics Anonymous

AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AAD American Association of Dermatology

AAOS American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

AAP American Academy of Pediatrics

ABG Arterial Blood Gases

ABMT Autologous bone marrow transplantation

ABVD Doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine

a.c. before food, from Latin, ante cibum

ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme

ACEI Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

ACEP American College of Emergency Physicians

ACL Anterior cruciate ligament

ACOG American College of Obstetics and Gynecology

ACS American Cancer Society

ACS American College of Surgeons

ACTH Adrenocorticoid hormone

ADA American Dental Association

ADA American Diabetes Association

ADA Adenosine deaminase

ADD Attention Deficit Disorder

ADH Antidiuretic hormone

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

AF Atrial fibrillation

AFO Ankle-foot orthosis

AFP Alpha-fetoprotein

AHF Antihemophilic factor

AHG Antihemophilic globulin AGD Academy of General Dentistry

AHA American Heart Association

AI Artificial insemination

AICD Automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator

AID Artificial insemination by donor

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIH Artificial insemination by husband

ALG Antilymphocytic globulin

ALL Acute lymphocytic leukemia

ALPS Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome

ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS Advanced Life Support

ALT Alanine transferase

AMA Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies

AMA American Medical Association

AMA Australian Medical Association

AMC Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

AML Acute myelocytic leukemia

AMP Adenosine monophosphate

AMS Acute mountain sickness

AMS Atypical measles syndrome

ANA Anti-nuclear antibodies

ANCA Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

ANF Atrial natriuretic factor

ANF Antinatriuretic factor

ANP Antinatriuretic peptide

ANP Atrial natriuretic peptide

ANUG Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

AP Alkaline phosphatase

APECED Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy

APGAR American Pediatric Gross Assessment Record (a backronym)

APLS Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

APSAC Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex

APS Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome

APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time

ARA American Rheumatological Association

ARC AIDS related complex

ARDS Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ART Antiretroviral therapy

ARM Artificial Rupture of Membranes

ASA Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin

AS Aortic stenosis

ASCAD Arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease

ASD Atrial septal defect

ASL American sign language

ASO Antistreptolysine O

AST Asparagine Transferase

ATCC American Type Culture Collection

ATG Antithymic globulin

AT-III Antithrombin III

ATP Acute thrombocytopenic purpura

ATP Adenosine triphosphate

AVM Arteriovenous malformation

AVR Aortic valve replacement

AZT Azidothymidine

B

BAL Brochoalveolar lavage

BAL British anti-Lewisite

BAO Basic acid output)

BCG Bacillus Calmette Guerain (a tuberculosis vaccination)

b.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis die

BE Base excess

BK Bacterium Koch

BMC Bone mass content

BMD Bone mass density

BMI Body mass index

BMR Basal metabolic rate

BMT Bone marrow transplantation

BNF British National Formulary

BNP Brain natriuretic peptide

BP Blood pressure

BP Bipolar disorder

BPD Borderline personality disorder

BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia

BPM Beats per minute

BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

BSP Bromsulphthalein

BUN Blood urea nitrogen

C

CABG Coronary arterial bypass graft

cAMP Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Ca Carcinoma

Ca Calcium

CAD Canadian Association of the Deaf

CAEP Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians

CAG Canadian Association of Gerontology

CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis

CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

CAMT Canadian Association of Music Therapy

CAO Canadian Association of Orthodontists

CAO Canadian Association of Optometrists

CAOT Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

CAR Canadian Association of Radiologists

CASLPA Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

CAT Computed axial tomography

CAP Canadian Association of Physicists

CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

CCS Canadian Cardiology Society

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen

CF Cystic fibrosis

cGMP Cyclic guanosine monophosphate

ChE Cholinesterase

CHE Cholinesterase

CHF Congestive heart failure

CI Confidence interval

CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

CK Creatine kinase

CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

CMA Canadian Medical Association

CML Chronic myelocytic leukemia

CMML Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

CMV Cytomegalovirus

COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CO Cardiac output

CO Carbon monoxide

COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1

COX-2 Cyclooxygenase 2

CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CPK Creatine Phosphokinase

CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae

CRF Chronic renal failure

CRH Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

CRI Chronic Renal Insufficiency

CRF Corticotropin Releasing Factor

CRP C-reactive protein

CR Complete Remission

CS Caesarean Section

CsA Cyclosporin A

CSF Cerebrospinal fluid

CT Computed axial tomography

CVA Cerebrovascular Accident

CVP Central Venous Pressure

CVID Common Variable Immunodeficiency

D

DBP Diastolic blood pressure

DCM Dilated cardiomyopathy

DDD Daily Defined Doses

DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

DHE Dihydoergotamine

DIC Disseminated intravacular coagulation

DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus

DiPerTe Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus

DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus

DM Diabetes Mellitus

DNA Desoxyribonucleic acid

DNR Do Not Resuscitate

DO Doctor of Optometry OR Doctor of Osteopathy

DOA Dead on arrival

DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis

DT Diphtheria Tetanus

DVT Deep vein thrombosis

DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

E

EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid

EBM Evidence-based medicine

ECG Electrocardiogram

EDRF Endothelium-derived relaxing factor

EEG Electroencepholgram

EKG Electrocardiogram

ECPW Endoskopowa cholangiopankreatografia wsteczna

E Erythrocytes

EF Ejection Fraction

EGF Epidermal Growth Factor

EKG Electrocardiogram

EMLSCS Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section

ELLSCS Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section

ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

EMC Encephalomyocarditis

EMF Endomyocardial fibrosis

EMG Electromyography

ENT Ear Neck and Throat. (Otolaryngology)

EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension

EPO Erythropoietin

ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

ESR Erythocyte sedimentation rate

ESWL Extracorporal Shockwave Lithotripsy

ET Endothelin

ETOH Ethanol or ethyl alcohol

EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography

F

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FDP Fibrinogen Degradation Products

FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume 1-second

Fe Iron

FFA Free fatty acids

FFP Fresh frozen plasma

FHR Fetal heart rate

FHT Fetal heart tones

FPG Fasting plasma glucose

FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode

FSH Follicle stimulating hormone

FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption

FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody

G

G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase

GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid

GCS Glasgow Coma Scale

GDLH Glutamate dehydrogenase

GERD Gastro-esophageal reflux disease

GFR Glomerular filtrate rate

GGTP Gamma glutamyltranspeptidase

GH Growth hormone

GHRF Growth hormone releasing factor

GITS Gastrointestinal therapeutic system

GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer

GORD Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

GOT Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase

GP General practitioner

GPT Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase

GvH Graft-versus-host

GvHD Graft-versus-host disease

H

HA Hypertonia arterialis

HAV Hepatitis A virus

HBG Hemoglobin

HB Hemoglobin

HBV Hepatitis B virus

HC Health Canada

HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin

HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

HCT Hematocrit

HCT Hydrochlorothiazide

HCV Hepatitis C virus

HDL High density lipoprotein

HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

HDV Hepatitis D virus

HEV Hepatitis E virus

HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

HGB Hemoglobin

Hib Haemophilus influenzae B

HIV Human immunodeficiency virus

HL Hepatic lipase

HLA Human leukocyte antigens

HOCM Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

HR Heart rate

HRT Hormone replacement therapy

HSG Hysterosalpingogram

HSV Herpes simplex virus

HTLV Human T-lymphotropic virus

HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome

I

IABP Intra-aortic balloon pumping

ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision

ICD Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

ICU Intensive care unit

IDC Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

IDL Intermediate density lipoprotein

IFG Impaired fasting glucose

Ig Immunoglobulin

INF Interferon

INR International normalized ratio

IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation

IQ Intelligence Quotient

ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity

ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate

ISH Isolated systolic hypertension

ITP Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

IUCD Intrauterine contraceptive device

IUD Intrauterine device

IUD Intrauterine Death

IU International units

IVF In vitro fertilization

IUI Intra-uterine insemination

IVP Intravenous pyelogram

J

JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association

K

K Potassium (in German, Kalium)

L

LAD Left artery descendens

LAS Lymphadenopathy syndrome

LBBB Left bundle branch block

LCM Lymphocytic meningitis

LDH Lactate dehydrogenase

LDL Low density lipoprotein

LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

L-DOPA DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine

LES Lower esophageal sphincter

LES Lupus erythematosus systemicus

LE Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)

leu Leukocytes

LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome

LGM Lymphogranulomatosis maligna

L Leukocytes

LM Left Main

LMSSA The Society of Apothecaries

Lp Lipoprotein

LPL Lipoprotein lipase

LVEDP Left ventricular end diastolic pressure

LVEF Left ventricular Ejection Fraction

LVF Left ventricular failure

LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy

LV Left ventricle

LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track

Ly Lymphocytes

M

MAO-I Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

MAS Morgani-Adams-Stokes

MCHC Mean cell hemoglobin concentration

MCH Mean cell hemoglobin

MCV Mean cell volume

MD Medical doctor

MDS Myelodysplastic syndrome

Mg Magnesium

MI Myocardial infarction

MIC Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis

MIC Minimal Inhibitory Concentration

MLA Myelosis Leucemica Acuta

MM Myeloma multiplex

MODY Maturity Onset Diabetes in Youth

Mo Monocytes

MPV Mean Platelet Volume

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MR Modified Release

MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

MSH Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

MS Multiple sclerosis

MTX Methotrexate

MVPS Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

MVP Mitral Valve Prolapse

N

Na Sodium (in German Natrium)

NA Narcotics Anonymous

Ne Neutrophil granulocytes

NEJM New England Journal of Medicine

Neo Neoplasm

NHL Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

NK Natural killer cells

NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance

NOS Nitric oxide synthase

NO Nitric oxide

Npl Neoplasm

n.s. Not significant

NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

NSE Neurospecific enolase

NTG Nitroglycerin

NYHA New York Heart Association

O

OB-GYN Obstetrics and gynecology

O.D. Right eye (Latin oculus dexter)

O.D. Overdose

O.D. Optical doctor

OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test

O.S. Left eye (Latin oculus sinister)

P

P Phosphorus

p.c. After food, from Latin, post cibum

PAF Platelet activating factor

PAI-1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1

PAO Peak Acid Output

PAP Papanicolaou stain

PA Posterior-anterior

PA Pulmonary artery

PAT Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

PCR Polymerase chain reaction

PDA Patent ductus arteriosus

PDE Phosphodiesterase

PDT Photodynamic Therapy

PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure

PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate

PEF Peak expiratory flow

PET Positron-emission tomography

PFO Patent foramen ovale

PID Pelvic inflammatory disease

PKA Protein kinase A

PKU Phenylketonuria

PLT Platelets

PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation

POX Peroxidase

PPRS Pharmaceutical Price Regulatory Scheme

PRA Plasma renin activity

PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit

PSA Prostatic specific antigen

PSP Phenylsulphtalein

PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes

PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

PT Prothrombin time

PTH Parathyroid hormone

PTT Partial thromboplastin time

PUVA Psoralen UV A

PVR Pulmonary vascular resistance

PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Q

q.d.s. Four times daily, from Latin, quater die sumendus

q.q.h. Every four hours, from Latin, quarta quaque hora

R

RA Refractory anaemia

RACP Royal Australasian College of Physicians

RACS Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

RBBB Right bundle branch block

RBC Red blood cells

RCA Right coronary artery

RCM Royal College of Midwives

RCN Royal College of Nursing

RCOG Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

RCP Royal College of Physicians

RCS Royal College of Surgeons

RCT Randomized controlled trial

REM Rapid eye movement

RF Rheumatic factor

Rh Rhesus factor

RIA Radioimmune assay

RIBA Radioimmunoblotting assay

RIND Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit

RNA Ribonucleic acid

RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography

RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RV Residual volume

RV Right ventricle

S

SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome

SBP Systolic blood pressure, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

SCC Squamous cell carciona

SCID Severe combined immunodeficiency

s.c sub cutis

SD Standard deviation

SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globuline

SIADH Syndrome of Inadequate ADH

SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation

SK Streptokinase

SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

SM latin Sclerosis multiplex - Multiple sclerosis

SPET Single photon emission tomography

SR Slow Release

SROM Spontaneous rupture of membranes

SSSS Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome

STD Sexually transmitted disease

STI Sexually transmitted infection

STH Somatotropic hormone

SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

SVR Systemic vascular resistance

SVT Supraventricular tachycardia

SXA Single energy X-ray absorptiometer

T

TBC tuberculosis

TB tuberculosis

TBI Total body irradiation

t.d.s. Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus

TEE Transesophageal echocardiogram

TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulaton

TGA Transposition of the great arteries

TG Triglycerides

TIA Transient ischemic attack

TIBC Total iron binding capacity

TLC Total lung capacity

TNF Tumor necrosis factor

TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases

TOE Transoesophageal echocardiogram

TPA Tissue plasminogen activator

TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone

TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

TS Tricuspid stenosis

TT Thrombin time

TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram

TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

TTS Transdermal therapeutic system

Tu Tumor

TUR Transurethral resection

U

UBT Urea Breath Test

UKPDS United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study

USG Ultrasonography

USR Unheated Serum Reagin

UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser

V

VAD Vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone

VAMP Vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone

VC Vital capacity

V-BAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarian

VD Vaginal Delivery

VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory

VEB Vetricular ectopic beat

VF Ventricular fibrillation

VIP Vasoactive intestinal peptide

VLDL Very low density lipoprotein

VMA Vanillylmandelic acid

VSD Ventricular septal defect

VT Ventricular tachycardia

W

WHO World Health Organization

WBC White blood cells

WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Z

ZIFT Zygote intrafallopian transfer

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