PATIENTS

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	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
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)
DVT	deep vein thrombosis
Dx	diagnosis, diagnosed
ECG	electrocardiogram
ECHO	echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart)
EPAP	exhalation positive air pressure
ER	emergency room
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
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
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
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 hyperthrophy
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
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

This list was adapted from a resource created by PHA Australia.


	The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) awarded PHA the Abbey S. Meyers Leadership Award in 2012 for outstanding service to PHA members in advocacy, education and other key areas.