Eponyms in Cardiology starting with A
By : Dr. Subrahmanyam Karuturi
Adson's Sign
Adson's sign is the loss of the radial pulse in the arm during abduction and external rotation at the shoulder or on bracing the shoulders. Adson's sign is positive in the thoracic outlet syndrome.
Allen's Test
A test for occlusion of radial or ulnar arteries: the patient makes a tight fist so as to express the blood from the skin of the palm and fingers; the examiner makes digital compression on either the radial or ulnar artery. Failure of blood to return to the palm and fingers when the hand is opened indicates obstruction of the blood flow in the artery that has not been compressed. Either this test or a doppler ultrasound examination should always be performed prior to insertion of a radial artery line.
Andersen-Tawil Syndrome
Anderson-Tawil syndrome is a disorder that causes episodes of muscle weakness (periodic paralysis), changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmia), and developmental abnormalities. The most common changes affecting the heart are ventricular arrhythmia, which is a disruption in the rhythm of the heart's lower chambers, and long QT syndrome. Long QT syndrome is a heart condition that causes the heart (cardiac) muscle to take longer than usual to recharge between beats. If untreated, the irregular heartbeats can lead to discomfort, fainting (syncope), or cardiac arrest. Physical abnormalities associated with Andersen-Tawil syndrome typically affect the head, face, and limbs. These features often include a very small lower jaw (micrognathia), dental abnormalities, low-set ears, widely spaced eyes, and unusual curving of the fingers or toes (clinodactyly). Some affected people also have short stature and an abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Two types of Andersen-Tawil syndrome are distinguished by their genetic causes. Type 1, which accounts for about 60 percent of all cases of the disorder, is caused by mutations in the KCNJ2 gene. The remaining 40 percent of cases are designated as type 2; the cause of these cases is unknown.
Anitschkow Myocytes
A large mononuclear cell found in connective tissue of the heart wall in inflammatory conditions like rheumatic fever, especially in the Aschoff body. The ovoid nucleus contains a central chromatin mass appearing as a wavy bar in longitudinal section.
Aschoff Body
A granulomatous inflammation characteristic of acute rheumatic carditis, consisting of fibrinoid changes in connective tissue and lymphocytes.
Ashman's Phenomenon
Ashman phenomenon is an aberrant ventricular conduction due to a change in QRS cycle length. In atrial fibrillation, when a relatively long cycle was followed by a relatively short cycle, the beat with a short cycle often has right bundle-branch block (RBBB) morphology. This causes diagnostic confusion with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). If a sudden lengthening of the QRS cycle occurs, the subsequent impulse with a normal or shorter cycle length may be conducted with aberrancy.
Auenbrugger's Sign
Auenbrugger's sign is a bulging of the epigastrium seen in cases of severe pericardial effusion. It is named after Joseph Leopold Auenbrugger.
Austin Flint Murmur
An Austin Flint murmur is a mid-diastolic, low-pitched rumbling heard at the apex which occurs in aortic regurgitation due to the vibration of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve as it is buffetted simultaneously by the blood jets from the left atrium and the aorta.
More Cardiac Eponyms
