Pulmonary Hypertension Acronym Decoder
Use this alphabetical list of acronyms and abbreviations to help demystify the “PH-speak” you run across at the doctor’s office, during support group meetings, and in PHA’s online communities.
Print the PH Acronym Decoder (PDF)
Use this alphabetical list of acronyms and abbreviations to help demystify the “PH-speak” you run across at the doctor’s office, during support group meetings, and in PHA’s online communities.
Print the PH Acronym Decoder (PDF)
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6MWT six-minute walk test
ABG arterial blood gas ACHD adult congenital heart disease AF atrial fibrillation AI aortic insufficiency, also known as aortic regurgitation ANA antinuclear antibody, a screening test for suspected connective tissue disease APAH associated pulmonary arterial hypertension ARF acute renal failure AS aortic stenosis ASD atrial septal defect ATS American Thoracic Society ATS PAR American Thoracic Society’s Public Advisory Roundtable AV atrioventricular AXR abdominal X-Ray Bid twice a day BiPAP bilevel positive airway pressure, a method of respiratory ventilation used in the treatment of sleep apnea BMPR2 bone morphogenetic protein receptor II, the “PH gene” BNP/proBNP b-type natriuretic peptide (an indicator of heart failure symptoms) BP blood pressure BPM beats per minute BSL blood sugar level BUN blood urea nitrogen, a test to measure renal function Ca calcium CAD coronary artery disease Cath catheter (thin tube) or catheterization CBC complete blood count CBC complete blood count CCB calcium channel blocker CCF or CHF congestive heart failure CF cystic fibrosis CHD congenital heart disease CI cardiac index CO cardiac output COAD chronic obstructive airways disease COAGS coagulation studies COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COAD CPAP continuous positive airway pressure CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation CREAT creatinine CREST syndrome limited form of scleroderma named for its common symptoms: calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia CRF chronic renal failure CRS “can’t remember squat,” an informal term for memory loss CT or CAT Scan computerized tomography CTD connective tissue disease CTEPH chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension CVC Caring Voice Coalition CVD collagen vascular disease, also known as connective tissue disease CVP central venous pressure CXR chest x-ray DLCO diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide, part of the pulmonary function test DO dissolved oxygen (in the blood) DNR/DNAR do not resuscitate/do not attempt resuscitation DVT deep vein thrombosis Dx diagnosis, diagnosed ECG/EKG electrocardiogram ECHO echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart) EPAP exhalation positive air pressure ER/ED emergency room/emergency department ETRA or ERA endothelin receptor antagonist FBC full blood count FCCP Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians (a title given to a doctor who specializes in pulmonology, thoracic surgery and critical care medicine) FEV forced expiratory volume FPAH familial pulmonary arterial hypertension FVC forced vital capacity GP general practitioner doctor Hb hemoglobin HCG pregnancy test HCT hematocrit, or the proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells HHT hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia HR heart rate HRQoL health-related quality of life HTN hypertension ICU intensive care unit INR international normalized ratio (standardized measurement for blood clotting) IPAH idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension IPAP inhalation positive air pressure IV intravenous JVP jugular venous pressure K potassium LA left atrium LFT liver function test LLL left lower lobe LPN licensed practical nurse LUL left upper lobe LV left ventricle LVH left ventricular hypertrophy |
MAP mean arterial pressure
MCTD mixed connective tissue disease Mg magnesium MI myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack mmHg millimeters of mercury MPAP mean pulmonary arterial pressure MRI magnetic resonance imaging MSN Master of Science in Nursing (professional degree) Na sodium NHLB INational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NP nurse practitioner NSAID non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs OB obliterative bronchiolitis, chronic rejection of a lung after transplantation O2 oxygen O2 Sats oxygen saturation (percentage of oxygen in the blood) PA pulmonary artery PAH pulmonary arterial hypertension PAP pulmonary artery pressure PASP pulmonary artery systolic pressure, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) PAT paroxysymal atrial tachycardia Path pathology PCP primary care physician PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or wedge PE pulmonary embolus PEEP positive end expiratory pressure PFT pulmonary function test PH pulmonary hypertension PHCR PH Clinicians and Researchers PHPN PH Professional Network (formerly PH Resource Network) Plt platelets PO by mouth PPH primary pulmonary hypertension, now called IPAH PPHN persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn PRN as needed PTE pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy PVR pulmonary vascular resistance q4h, q6h….every 4 hours, every 6 hours, etc. qid four times a day QoL quality of life RA rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium RHC right heart catheterization RLL right lower lobe RML right middle lobe RN registered nurse RUL right upper lobe RV right ventricle RVH right ventricular hypertrophy RVSP right ventricular systolic pressure, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), found on an echocardiogram report RX prescriptio Rx treatment SC subcutaneous SG support group Sl sublingual SLC Scientific Leadership Council SLE systemic lupus erythematous SOB short of breath, shortness of breath SPH or SPAH secondary pulmonary (arterial) hypertension, now known as associated pulmonary hypertension STAT immediately SQ subcutaneous Tid or Tds three times a day TLC total lung capacity TR jet tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity, measured in meters per second (m/s) TV tidal volume TX treatment Tx transplant UA urinalysis UEC urea, electrolytes, creatinine (blood chemistry) US ultrasound V/Q Scan ventilation – perfusion scan VC vital capacity VO2 volume oxygen, a measure of the amount of oxygen that the body takes in and uses VSD ventricular septal defect WHO World Health Organization 
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