Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Pachydermatocele

    A pendulous state of the skin with thickening.  

  • Occipital pachyderma

    A disease in which the skin of the scalp, especially in the occipital region, falls into thickened folds.  

  • Pachyderma lymphangiectatica

    A diffuse form of skin thickening caused by blocked or defective lymph drainage.  

  • Pacemaker syndrome

    A group of unpleasant symptoms associated with unsynchronized atrioventricular timing in patients who have single-chamber (ventricular) pacemakers. The symptoms may include syncope or presyncope, orthostatic dizziness, cough, dyspnea, palpitations, and others. The symptoms are produced by the contraction of the atria against closed atrioventricular valves and by the loss of cardiac output that the atria…

  • Transcutaneous pacemaker

    An artificial cardiac pacemaker that is located outside the body. The electrodes for delivering the stimulus are located on the chest wall.  

  • Temporary pacemaker

    An electronic device for temporary cardiac pacing (e.g., during cardiac surgery and emergencies). The device consists of an electrode catheter inserted transvenously in the right ventricular apex that receives impulses from an external generator.  

  • Rate-responsive pacemaker

    An electronic pacemaker that senses changes in the body’s need for adjustment of the cardiac rate as can occur in sleeping, waking, sitting, walking, or running. The device alters cardiac rate by sensing body motion, changes in breathing, or slight changes in blood temperature, which improves the quality of life for active patients. It is…

  • Programmable pacemaker

    An electronic permanent pacemaker in which one or more settings can be changed electronically.  

  • Internal pacemaker

    A cardiac pacemaker placed within the body.  

  • Fixed-rate pacemaker

    A pacemaker that stimulates the heart at a predetermined rate. An artificial cardiac pacemaker is a device designed to send electrical impulses to the heart, ensuring a regular heartbeat. Fixed-rate pacemakers maintain a constant pacing rate regardless of the patient’s heart rate and are utilized in specific clinical and diagnostic settings. They may be suitable…