Tachycardia

Tachycardia is an increase of the heart rate above the normal level. Among its many possible causes are arrhythmias, illness, exercise, stress, or excitement.

Target Lesion Revascularization

A repeat percutaneous intervention of the target lesion or bypass surgery of the target vessel involving the target lesion.

Target Vessel Revascularization

A repeat percutaneous intervention of the target vessel or bypass surgery of the target vessel.

Telemetry

Telemetry is a method of placing a patient on an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor without having wires limiting activity. The EKGs are transmitted via radio waves to a central monitoring point. Patients can therefore walk around while still being monitored.

Thallium Stress Test

A thallium stress test may be done at rest, or follow the same procedure as a graded exercise test, with an intravenous injection of a low dose of radioactive material at peak exercise. This is immediately followed by a scan of the heart to visualize areas of the heart that do not receive sufficient blood supply. A comparative scan will be done four hours later to note any changes at rest.

Thrombolytic Agents

Thrombolytic agents are intravenous drugs which are administered during a heart attack. These drugs are intended to break up a thrombus, thereby allowing blood to reach the heart muscle.

Thrombolytic Therapy

In thrombolytic therapy, medication is given intravenously to dissolve the blood clot causing the heart attack. Once the blood clot is dissolved, blood flow can be restored to the affected area of the heart. Activase (t-PA) or Streptokinase are the most common medications used for dissolving a blood clot.

Thrombus

Blood clot.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

A transesophageal echocardiogram is the same as a standard echocardiogram, except a miniaturized transducer (the probe) is passed down the esophagus by means of a flexible scope to visualize the heart. Sound waves are used to image/take pictures of vital structures such as the heart and aorta.

Transluminal

Literally, through the lumen (i.e. the inner channel of a vessel).

Transseptal Procedure

A procedure that accesses the left side of the heart from the right side by opening an area across the heart's septum.

Tricuspid Valve

The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. The tricuspid valve is comprised of three leaflets that, when open, permit blood to flow in only one direction - from the right atrium into the right ventricle.

Triglyceride

Triglyceride is a type of fat made up of glycerol and three fatty-acid molecules. The body makes triglycerides from the products of digestion of dietary fat. Fat is then stored in the body as triglycerides.