Glossary

Constriction or blockage of a body passage

Catheter-delivered foldable double-umbrella-type device that is unfolded into an open ductus Botalli to close it

Closure

Increase of interstitial fluid in any organ, making that part of the body swell

As opposed to closed heart surgery the surgeon can actually see the heart while operating; blood circulation through the heart is interrupted

Orifice, entrance, opening

Atrial septum defect (ASD I, ASD II)

Opening in the atrial septum of the foetal heart, which usually closes spontaneously after birth

Part of the heart-lung machine that takes over the respiratory function of the lung (oxygen saturation)

Proportion of oxygen bound to haemoglobin in the blood, expressed as a percentage of the maximal binding capacity. Can be measured using a pulse oximator