Medical Abbreviations Translated
Medical Acronyms – abbreviations your doctor or medical team may use – demystifying the codes.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
ABG: arterial blood gas
ACLS: advanced cardiac life support
AF: atrial fibrillation
AI: aortic insufficiency also known as aortic regurgitation
ALK1: activin receptor-like kinase type 1
APAH: associated pulmonary hypertension
ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome
ARF: acute renal failure
AS: aortic stenosis
ASD: atrial septal defect
AV: atrioventricular
AXR: abdominal X-Ray
B
Bid: twice a day
BP: blood pressure
BMPR2: bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2
BPM: beats per minute
C
Ca: calcium
CABG: coronary artery bypass graft
CAD: coronary artery disease
CCF or CHF: congestive heart failure
CCU: coronary Care Unit
CF: cystic fibrosis
CHD: congenital heart disease
CI: cardiac index
CO: cardiac output
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also known as
COAD: chronic obstructive airways disease
CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRF: chronic renal failure
CT or CAT Scan: computerized tomography
CTEPH: chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
CVP: central venous pressure
CXR: chest X-ray
D
DVT: deep venous thrombosis
DX: diagnosis
E
ECG: electrocardiogram
ECHO: echocardiogram ( Ultrasound of heart)
ED: emergency department
EN: enrolled nurse
ESRD: end-stage renal disease
F
FEV: forced expiratory volume
FFP: fresh frozen plasma
FPAH: familial pulmonary arterial hypertension
FVC: forced vital capacity
G
GP: general practitioner ( local doctor)
H
Hb: hemoglobin
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
HTN: hypertension
I
IPAH: idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
ICU: intensive care unit
IM: intramuscular
IV: intravenous
J
JVP: jugular venous pressure
K
K: potassium
L
LLL: left lower lobe
LUL: left upper lobe
LV: left ventricle
LVH: left ventricular hypertrophy
M
MAP: mean arterial pressure
MI: myocardial infarction also known as Heart Attack
MO: medical officer
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
N
NSAID: non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs
O
OPD: outpatient department
OR: odds ratio
P
PAH: pulmonary arterial hypertension
PAP: pulmonary arterial pressure
PAT: paroxysymal atrial tachycardia
PCH: pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis
PCWP: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PE: pulmonary embolus
PEEP: positive end expiratory pressure
PH: pulmonary hypertension
POPH: portopulmonary hypertension
PPH: primary pulmonary hypertension now called IPAH
PRN: as needed
PTE: Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PE)
PTE: Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy
PVOD: pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
PVR: pulmonary vascular resistance
Q
q4h, q6h.: every 4 hours, every 6 hours etc.
qid: four times a day
R
RHC: right heart catheter
RLL: right lower lobe
RML: right middle lobe
RMO: resident medical officer ( junior doctor)
RN: registered nurse
RUL: right upper lobe
RVH: right ventricular hyperthrophy
Rx: treatment
S
6MWT: 6 minute walk test
SC: subcutaneous
SCD: sickle cell disease
SPAH: secondary pulmonary hypertension now called APAH
Sl: sublingual
SLE: systemic lupus erythematous
SOB: shortness of breath
STAT: immediately
T
Tid or Tds: three times a day
TLC: total lung capacity
TRV: tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity
TV: tidal volume
Tx: transplant
U
US: ultrasound
V
VC: vital capacity
V/Q Scan: ventilation – perfusion scan
VSD: Ventricular Septal Defect
W
Walk Test: 6 minute walk test
Pathology Abbreviations
BSL: blood sugar level
COAGS: coagulation studies
Ca: calcium
FBC: full blood count
Hb: haemoglobin
INR: international normalized ratio (warfarin measurement)
LFT: liver function test
Mg: magnesium
Na: sodium
Path: pathology
Plt: Platelets
UEC: urea, electrolytes, creatinine ( blood chemistry)
UA: urinalysis