Glossary of Terms

Acute Hepatic Failure (AHF)

process of sudden dramatic decline in liver function This may result from a variety of causes drug reactions, alcohol/drug overdose, acute hepatitis A,B,C, or some unknown reason

Anesthesia

medicine given by injection or mouth that causes partial or complete loss of feeling for a period of time, usually during surgery

Antirejection Medicine

(See Immunosuppressants)

Antibiotics

drugs taken to prevent infections and kill bacteria

Antihypertensive

medicine that prevents or controls high blood pressure

Aspirin

pain reliever taken by mouth; also helps to prevent blood clot formation

Ascites

an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)

chronic and progressive condition in which the patient's own immune systems attacks the liver causing inflammation and liver failure The condition is chronic and progressive

Cardiac Catheterization

a procedure in which a small tube is guided through a vein or an artery into the right or left side of the heart to check the function of the heart and the coronary arteries

Cardiologist

doctor who studies and treats diseases of the heart

CellCept®

immunosuppressant drug used mainly to prevent the body from rejecting an organ or tissue transplant (see also mycophenolate mofetil)

Cholesterol

fat substance found in animal meats, dairy products and produced by the liver; a high level of cholesterol in the blood is a risk factor for developing heart disease Blood cholesterol can be elevated by cyclosporine

Clinical Nutritionist

specialist in selecting foods that repair or maintain the body

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

a very common virus that usually causes a flu-like illness with fever, general body aches, and a decreased appetite which lasts two or three days

Congenital

existing at birth

Cyclosporine

drug that helps keep the body from rejecting a transplanted organ Brand names include Neoral® and Gengraf®

Dermatology

study and treatment of skin

Diabetes

the body’s inability to control the amount of insulin or blood sugar it produces for energy

Diastolic Blood Pressure

bottom number of the blood pressure reading that shows the amount of resistance in the blood vessels that the heart has to overcome

Diuretic

medication that assists the kidneys in ridding the body of excess fluid

Donor

person who gives an organ to be used in another person

Echocardiogram

diagnostic test that uses reflected sound wave images to see the heart and provides information regarding the structure and function of the heart

Edema

swelling of body tissue caused by fluid leaking from blood vessels

Endotracheal Tube

long tube used to provide an airway into the lungs This tube is generally connected to a breathing machine

ERCP

GI procedure used to visualize the biliary ducts from the “inside out” Endoscopist places the tube down the patient’s throat and approaches bile duct from common duct

Fluid Retention

condition in which the body stores excess fluid

Gallbladder

organ that stores bile

Gallstones

stones that form when the bile has too much cholesterol

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

virus that attacks the liver, usually transmitted through sea food contamination; vaccination against available

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

virus that attacks the liver, obtained through sex with someone who is infected, blood transfusions, IV, sharing tattoos; may be vaccinated against prior to infection

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

virus that attacks the liver, obtained through blood transfusions, needle sharing, tattoos; not thought to be sexually transmitted; no vaccine available;

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

liver cancer; may be contraindication for transplant if tumor is too large or numerous

Idiopathic

arising from an unknown or obscure cause

Immune System

your body’s natural defense system against foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, some types of cancers, and sometimes transplanted organs or tissue

Immunization

giving antibodies or other agents to protect against disease

Immunosuppressants

drugs that help treat or prevent the immune system from rejecting an organ or tissue transplant

Immunosupression

process of preventing the body’s immune system from rejecting an organ or tissue transplant

Infection

condition in which the body is invaded by a disease-causing micro-organism

Intravenous (IV)

a catheter (small tube) inserted into a vein so that fluid, blood or medicine can be received

Jaundice

yellow/green/gray coloration of skin; usually corresponds to increasing serum bilirubin; may or may not be accompanied by pruritus

Lab Draw

process of taking blood or urine for laboratory analysis

Laboratory (Lab)

place where blood and specimens are studied and identified

LifeLink

organization which matches organs and tissues with potential recipients

Liver Biopsy

a small sample of liver is extracted with a needle placed either through the abdominal wall and into the liver or through the jugular vein down into the liver

Medic Alert

nonprofit organization that provides a bracelet or necklace with your personal medical information which can be used by medical personnel in case you have a car accident or other type of emergency

Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

liver disease that is characterized by increased deposition of fat in the liver, eventually inhibits ability of liver to function

Orthotopic Liver Transplant (OLT)

old diseased liver is removed & new liver from other source replaced in same location

Post-transplant

after transplantation

Pravachol

drug that lowers cholesterol

Prednisone

medication used to limit rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue

Pre–transplant

before transplantation

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

a chronic disease that causes a progressive destruction of bile ducts in the liver

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

Prograf®

(See Tacrolimus)

Prostate

gland around the neck of the bladder and urethra in males that secretes ejaculatory fluid

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

special blood test recommended for men over the age of 50 to screen for prostate cancer

Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

nurse specially trained to help you and your family deal with behavioral and mental issues such as stress, anxiety, depression and addiction

Psychiatrist

physician who diagnoses and treats mental disorders

Rectal

lower part of the colon or large intestine

Rejection

condition in which recipient’s body rejects tissue or organ transferred from a donor

Sclerosing Cholangitis

a disease in which the bile ducts become narrowed from inflammation and scarring

Split Liver

a whole liver is split between two persons usually an adult and child

Status

patient’s current condition

Systolic Blood Pressure

amount of force used by the heart to eject blood out of the heart; “systolic” refers to the top number read as part of blood pressure

T-tube

a tube placed in the bile duct that allows bile to drain into a bag outside the body

Tacrolimus

drug the helps keep the body from rejecting a transplanted organ Brand name is Prograf®

Testicular

Relating to the male reproductive glands that produce reproductive cells and the hormone testosterone

Tetanus

infectious disease that causes painful muscle contractions; also known as lockjaw

Transplant Coordinator

specially trained, registered nurse who coordinates care for patients before and after transplantation

Transplant Surgeon

highly trained doctor who perfoms the transplant operation

Transplantation

transfer of living tissue or organs from one person to another

Ultrasound

device that uses ultrasonic waves to outline the shape of various tissues and organs of the body

UNOS

United Network for Organ Sharing, a national agency that maintains a national computerized transplant waiting list and helps locate donor organs

Vaccination

injection that builds your body’s resistance to an infection

Ventilator

mechanical device which controls and monitors flow of air to the lungs

Vital Signs

temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure

Zantac®

drug used to treat stomach problems like peptic ulcers and heartburn

Transplant Center