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)
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 |
NHLBI | National 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 |
This list was adapted from a resource created by PHA Australia. Updated in July 2013 by Crystal Weber, RN.