Saphenous Vein
Vein located in the leg(s) and used for coronary artery bypass surgery. It is surgically removed from the leg and sewn from the aorta to the coronary artery beyond the site of blockage.
Saturated Fat
A fat composed mostly of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fat is the most important dietary factor in raising cholesterol levels.
Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure of the pulmonary arteries. Secondary hypertension is a disease process which reduces the blood supply to the lungs such as a blood clot (pulmonary emboli).
Sensitization
Potential recipients are "sensitized" if there are antibodies in their blood, usually because of pregnancy, blood transfusions or previous rejection of an organ transplant. Sensitization is measured by PRA. Highly sensitized patients are more likely to reject an organ transplant than unsensitized patients.
Sepsis
A serious infection in the bloodstream
Septal Defect
A hole or "defect" is in the heart muscle forming a wall between the left and right side of the heart. Can be an atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Septum
The muscular wall separating the right and left sides of the heart.
Sestamibi Exercise Stress Test (Sestamibi stress test, stress perfusion scan, stress Sestamibi)
A diagnostic study, which uses a small amount of radioactive tracer, injected into the body, and a special camera, which detects the radiation, released by the substance to produce a computer image of the heart. Combined with exercise, the study can help determine if there is adequate blood flow to the heart at rest, as compared with activity.
Side Effect
An unintended effect of a drug on tissues or organs other than the drug benefits.
Silent ischemia
Inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart that does not cause symptoms such as chest pain.
Sinoatrial Node (SA or sinus node)
A specialized cluster of cells in the heart that initiates the heart beat. Known as the heart's natural pacemaker.
Sodium
A mineral found in most of the foods we eat. The largest source of dietary sodium comes from sodium chloride or table salt. Intake of sodium tends to increase the retention of water.
Sphygmomanometer
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), which refers to how high the pressure in the arteries can raise a column of mercury in a sphygmomanometer, a device for measuring blood pressure.
Status
Indicated degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting transplants.
Stenosis
Narrowing or restriction of a blood vessel or valve that reduces blood flow.
Stent
A small wire mesh tube, inserted after angioplasty that acts as a scaffold to provide support inside the artery.
Sternum (breastbone)
Bone in chest separated during open heart surgery.
Stress Test
See exercise stress test
Stroke (also called cerebral vascular accident or CVA)
Impaired artery blood flow to the brain. During a stroke, brain cells in the affected area are starved for oxygen and subsequently die.
Stunned Myocardium
If blood flow is returned to an area of heart muscle after a period of ischemia (lack of blood supply), the heart muscle may not pump normally for a period of days following the event. This is called "stunned" heart muscle or myocardium.
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Subvalvular aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the flow of blood below the aortic valve in the left ventricle. It is usually caused by a membrane or thickening in the muscle in this area.
Sudden Cardiac Death
A sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function. Most sudden cardiac deaths are caused by arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
A clot in a superficial vein, just under the skin.
Survival Rates
Survival rates indicate the percentage of patients or grafts (transplanted organs) that are still alive functioning at a certain point posttransplant. Survival rates are often given at one-, three-, and five-year increments. Policy modifications are never made without examining their impact on transplant survival rates. Survival rates improve with technological and scientific advancements. Developing policies that reflect and respond to these advances in transplantation will also improve survival rates.
Syncope
Fainting or dizziness.
Syndrome X
A cluster of risk factors that together, put someone at higher risk of coronary artery disease. These risk factors include: central obesity (excessive fat tissue in the abdominal region), glucose intolerance, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol, and
high blood pressure (www.americanheart.org)
Systemic Circulation
The circulation of blood from the left ventricle, through an extensive network of vessels that penetrate every part of the body, to the right side of the heart.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE, lupus)
A chronic autoimmune disorder in which a person's natural antibodies, which normally fight infection, damage parts of the central nervous system, connective tissue, or internal organs such as the lungs or kidneys. Lupus can cause heart valve disorders.
Systole
The portion of the cardiac cycle in which the heart muscle contracts, forcing the blood into the main blood vessels.
Systolic
The top number in a blood pressure reading that indicates the force of the heart muscle's contractions as blood is pumped through the heart's chambers
Systolic Pressure
The pressure of the blood in the arteries when the heart pumps. It is the higher of two blood pressure measurements, e.g., 120/80, where 120 is the systolic pressure.
