Fluke Biomedical ProSim 6 - Manual (Page 99)

Glossary
Introduction
A
A-5
Millivolt
One-thousandth of a volt.
Missed Beat
A single missing beat, with the heart rate returning to normal. Missed beats, often present
in first-degree heart block, are symptomatic of other conditions as well.
Multifocal PVCS
A sequence that includes a left-focus PVC, followed by two normal beats, followed by a
right-focus PVC, followed by a normal rhythm at 80 BPM. Multifocal PVCs are
premature ventricular contractions that originate in different ectopic-pacemaker sites
throughout the ventricles. These PVCs, which exhibit different size and shape elements,
are characterized by the absence of a P wave (due to the lack of any atrial-pacemaker
activity).
Multiple PVCS: Paired PVCS; Run 5 PVCS; Run 11 PVCS
Three series of multiple PVCs run as one-time (nonrepeating) events. The term multiple
PVCs refers to any condition where two or more PVCs occur in a row. Standard PVCs of
this type include a pair of PVCs (also known as a couplet), a run of five PVCs in a row,
and a run of eleven PVCs in a row.
Myocardium
The thick muscular layer of the heart, located between the endocardium at the inside and
the epicardium at the outside walls of the heart.
Nanometer
One-billionth (10 -9 ) of a meter.
Nanosecond
One billionth (10 -9 ) of a second (one thousand-millionth of a second). Electricity travels
approximately one foot per nanosecond.
Nodal Rhythm
Normal rhythm, but with a P wave that originates in the AV node, and a P-R interval that
is very short. Nodal rhythm, also referred to as junctional rhythm or junctional escape, is
a condition where the predominant pacemaker is the AV node rather than the SA node.
Noninvasive
Not tending to spread; especially, not tending to invade healthy tissue.
Ohm
A unit of electrical resistance equal to that of a conductor in which a current of one
ampere is produced by a potential of one volt across its terminals.
PAP
Pulmonary arterial pressure.
Patient Leads
Cables that connect a patient directly with the monitor. Sometimes called applied parts.
Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT)
Normal rhythm at alternating rates. When atrial tachycardia occurs as a seizure-like
spasmodic event, it is called paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or PAT. PATs typically start
and stop suddenly, initiated by a premature atrial contraction (PAC). PAT spasms may
last for only a few seconds or for minutes or hours. A patient may experience ATs and
PATs over the course of many years.
PCWP
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Also known as PAW.