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List of abbreviations

A

AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysm
ABG Arterial blood gases
ABMT Autologous bone marrow transplantation
ABVD doxorubicin bleomycin vinblastine dacarbazine
a.c. before food, from Latin, ante cibum
ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
ACEI Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH Adrenocorticoid hormone
ADA Adenosine deaminase
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADH Antidiuretic hormone
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AF atrial fibrillation
AFO ankle-foot orthosis
AFP Alpha-fetoprotein
AHF Antihemophilic factor
AHG Antihemophilic globulin
AI Artificial insemination
AICD Automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator
AID Artificial insemination by donor
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIH artificial insemination by husband
ALG Antilymphocytic globulin
ALL Acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP Alkaline phosphatase
ALPS Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALS Advanced Life Support
ALT Alanine transferase
AMA Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies
AMC Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
AML Acute myelocytic leukemia
AMP Adenosine monophosphate
AMS Acute mountain sickness
AMS atypical measles syndrome
ANA Anti-nuclear antibody
ANCA Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
ANF Atrial natriuretic factor
ANP Atrial natriuretic peptide
ANUG Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
AP Alkaline phosphatase
APECED autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
APGAR American Pediatric Gross Assessment Record (a backronym)
APLS antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
APSAC Anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex
APS autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ARC AIDS related complex
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ART antiretroviral therapy
ARM Artificial rupture of membranes
ASA Acetylsalicylic acid - commonly known as aspirin
AS Aortic stenosis
ASCAD arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
ASD Atrial septal defect
ASGUS Atypical squamous glandular cells of undetermined significance
ASCUS Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
ASL American sign language
ASO Antistreptolysin O
AST Asparagine Transferase
ATCC American Type Culture Collection
ATG Antithymic globulin
AT-III Antithrombin III
ATP acute thrombocytopenic purpura
ATP adenosine triphosphate
AVM Arteriovenous malformation
AVR Aortic valve replacement
AZT azidothymidine

B

BAL Bronchoalveolar lavage
BAL British anti-Lewisite
BAO Basic acid output)
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guerin (a tuberculosis vaccination)
b.d. Twice daily, from Latin, bis die
BE Base excess
BK Bacterium Koch
BMC Bone mass content
BMD Bone mass density
BMI Body mass index
BMR Basal metabolic rate
BMT Bone marrow transplantation
BNF British National Formulary
BNP Brain natriuretic peptide
BP Blood pressure
BP Bipolar disorder
BPD Bi-Parietal Diameter
BPD Borderline personality disorder
BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia
BPM Beats per minute
BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
BSE Breast Self-Examination
BSP Bromsulphthalein
BUN Blood urea nitrogen

C

CABG Coronary arterial bypass graft
cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Ca Carcinoma
Ca Calcium
CAH Chronic Active Hepatitis
CAH Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
CAT computed axial tomography
CAPD Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
CCF Congestive Cardiac Failure
CCK Cholecystokinin
CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
CF Cystic fibrosis
cGMP Cyclic guanosine monophosphate
ChE Cholinesterase
CHE Cholinesterase
CHF Congestive heart failure
CI Confidence interval
CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
CK Creatine kinase
CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CML Chronic myelocytic leukemia
CMML Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMV Cytomegalovirus
COAD Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
COLD Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CO Cardiac output
CO Carbon monoxide
COX-1 Cyclooxygenase 1
COX-2 Cyclooxygenase 2
CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPK Creatine Phosphokinase
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CREST Calcinosis Raynaud Esophagus Sclerosis Teleangiectasiae
CRF Chronic renal failure
CRF Corticotropin Releasing Factor
CRH Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
CRI Chronic Renal Insufficiency
CRP C-reactive protein
CR Complete Remission
CS Caesarean Section
CsA Cyclosporin A
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
CT computed axial tomography
CVA Cerebrovascular Accident
CVP Central Venous Pressure
CVID Common Variable Immunodeficiency

D

DBP Diastolic blood pressure
DCM Dilated cardiomyopathy
DDD Daily Defined Doses
DHEA-S Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
DHE Dihydoergotamine
DIC Disseminated intravacular coagulation
DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiPerTe Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
DiTe Diphtheria Tetanus
DM Diabetes Mellitus
DNA Desoxyribonucleic acid
DNR Do Not Resuscitate
DOA Dead on arrival
DTP Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis
DT Diphtheria Tetanus
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
DEXA Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

E

EACA Epsilon-aminocaproic acid
EBM Evidence-based medicine
ECG Electrocardiogram
EDRF Endothelium-derived relaxing factor
EEG Electroencepholgram
EKG Electrocardiogram
ECPW endoskopowa cholangiopankreatografia wsteczna
E Erythrocytes
EF Ejection Fraction
EGF Epidermal Growth Factor
EKG Electrocardiogram
EMLSCS Emergency Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELLSCS Elective Lower Segment Caesarian Section
ELISA Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EMC Encephalomyocarditis
EMF Endomyocardial fibrosis
EMG Electromyography
ENT Ear Nose and Throat. (Otolaryngology)
EPH Edema Proteinuria Hypertension
EPO Erythropoietin
ERCP Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ESL Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (also ESWL) - see lithotriptor
ESR Erythocyte sedimentation rate
ESWL Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (also ESL) - see lithotriptor
ET Endothelin
ETOH ethanol or ethyl alcohol
EUS Endoscopic Ultrasonography

F

FACC Fellow of the American College of Cardiology [1]
FACS
FDP Fibrinogen Degradation Products
FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume 1-second
Fe Iron
FFA Free fatty acids
FFP Fresh frozen plasma
FHR Fetal heart rate
FHT Fetal heart tones
FPG Fasting plasma glucose
FSE Fetal Scalp Electrode
FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
FTA-ABS Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption
FTA Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody

G

G6PD Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GDLH Glutamate dehydrogenase
GERD Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
GFR Glomerular filtrate rate
GGTP Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
GH Growth hormone
GHRF Growth hormone releasing factor
GITS Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer
GORD Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
GOT glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase
GPT glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
GvH Graft-versus-host
GvHD Graft-versus-host disease

H

HA Hypertonia arterialis
HAV Hepatitis A virus
HBG Hemoglobin
HB Hemoglobin
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCM Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCT Hematocrit
HCT Hydrochlorothiazide
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HDL High density lipoprotein
HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
HDV Hepatitis D virus
HEV Hepatitis E virus
HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
HGB Hemoglobin
Hib Haemophilus influenzae B
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
HL Hepatic lipase
HLA Human leukocyte antigens
HOCM Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
HR Heart rate
HRT Hormone replacement therapy
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
HSV Herpes simplex virus
HTLV Human T-lymphotropic virus
HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome

I

IABP Intra-aortic balloon pumping
ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision
ICD Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
ICU Intensive care unit
IDC Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
IDDM Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IDL Intermediate density lipoprotein
IFG Impaired fasting glucose
Ig Immunoglobulin
INF Interferon
INR International normalized ratio
IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ Intelligence Quotient
ISA Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate
ISH Isolated systolic hypertension
ITP Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD intrauterine device
IUD Intrauterine Death
IU International units
IVF In vitro fertilization
IUI Intrauterine insemination
IVP Intravenous pyelogram

K

K Potassium (in German, Kalium)

L

LAD Left artery descendens
LAS Lymphadenopathy syndrome
LBBB Left bundle branch block
LCM Lymphocytic meningitis
LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
LDL Low density lipoprotein
LDL-C Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
L-DOPA DihydrOxyPhenylAlanine
LES Lower esophageal sphincter
LES Lupus erythematosus systemicus
LE Lupus erythematosus (in German Lupus erythematodes)
leu Leukocytes
LGL Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
LGM Lymphogranulomatosis maligna
L Leukocytes
LM Left Main
Lp Lipoprotein
LPL Lipoprotein lipase
LVEDP Left ventricular end diastolic pressure
LVEF Left ventricular Ejection Fraction
LVF Left ventricular failure
LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy
LV Left ventricle
LVOT Left Ventricular Outflow Track
Ly Lymphocytes

M

MAO-I Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAS Morgani-Adams-Stokes
MCHC Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
MCH Mean cell hemoglobin
MCV Mean cell volume
MDS Myelodysplastic syndrome
Mg Magnesium
MI Myocardial infarction
MIC Morbus Ischaemicus Cordis
MIC minimal Inhibitory Concentration
MLA Myelosis Leucemica Acuta
MM Myeloma multiplex
MODY Maturity Onset Diabetes in Youth
Mo Monocytes
MPV Mean Platelet Volume
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MR Modified Release
MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MSH Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone
MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS Multiple sclerosis
MTX Methotrexate
MVPS Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome
MVP Mitral Valve Prolapse

N

Na Sodium (in German Natrium)
Ne Neutrophil granulocytes
Neo Neoplasm
NHL Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
NIDDM Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NK Natural killer cells
NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance
NOS Nitric oxide synthase
NO Nitric oxide
Npl Neoplasm
n.s. not significant
NSAID Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSE Neurospecific enolase
NTG Nitroglycerin
NYHA New York Heart Association

O

OA osteoarthritis
OB-GYN Obstetrics and gynecology
O.D. right eye (Latin oculus dexter)
O.D. overdose
OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test
O.S. left eye (Latin oculus sinister)

P

P Phosphorus
p.c. After food, from Latin, post cibum
PAF Platelet activating factor
PAI-1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
PAO Peak Acid Output
PAP Papanicolaou stain
PA posterior-anterior
PA Pulmonary artery
PAT Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
PCOS Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
PCR Polymerase chain reaction
PDA Patent ductus arteriosus
PDE Phosphodiesterase
PDT Photodynamic Therapy
PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate
PEF Peak expiratory flow
PET Positron-emission tomography
PFO Patent foramen ovale
PID Pelvic inflammatory disease
PKA Protein kinase A
PKU Phenylketonuria
PLT platelets
PMR Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation
POX Peroxidase
PPRS Pharmaceutical Price Regulatory Scheme
PRA Plasma renin activity
PRIND Prolonged Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Deficit
prn as necessary (from Latin pro re nata)
PSA Prostatic specific antigen
PSP Phenylsulphtalein
PROM Premature Rupture of Membranes
PTA Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
PTCA Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PT Prothrombin time
PTH Parathyroid hormone
PTT Partial thromboplastin time
PUVA Psoralen UV A
PVR Pulmonary vascular resistance
PWP Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Q

q.d.s. Four times daily, from Latin, quater die sumendus
q.h.s. every night before bed
q.q.h. Every four hours, from Latin, quarta quaque hora

R

RA Refractory anaemia
RBBB Right bundle branch block
RBC Red blood cells
RCA Right coronary artery
RCT Randomized controlled trial
REM Rapid eye movement
RF Rheumatic factor
Rh Rhesus factor
RIA Radioimmune assay
RIBA Radioimmunoblotting assay
RIND Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit
RNA Ribonucleic acid
RNV Radionuclear Ventriculography
RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RV Residual volume
RV Right ventricle

S

SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome
SBP Systolic blood pressure, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
SCC Squamous cell carciona
SCID Severe combined immunodeficiency
s.c sub cutis
SD Standard deviation
SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globuline
SIADH Syndrome of Inadequate ADH
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIMV Synchronized Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SK Streptokinase
SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SM latin Sclerosis multiplex - Multiple sclerosis
SNP Sodium Nitroprusside
SPET Single photon emission tomography
SR Slow Release
SROM Spontaneous rupture of membranes
SSSS Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
SSS Sick Sinus Syndrome
STD Sexually transmitted disease
STI Sexually transmitted infection
STH Somatotropic hormone
SVD Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
SVR Systemic vascular resistance
SVT Supraventricular tachycardia
SXA Single energy X-ray absorptiometer

T

TBC tuberculosis
TB tuberculosis
TBI Total body irradiation
t.d.s. Three times a day, from Latin, ter die sumendus
TEE Transesophageal echocardiogram
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulaton
TGA Transposition of the great arteries
TG Triglycerides
TIA Transient ischemic attack
TIBC Total iron binding capacity
TLC Total lung capacity
TNF Tumor necrosis factor
TNM Tumor-Nodes-Metastases
TOE Transoesophageal echocardiogram
TPA Tissue plasminogen activator
TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone
TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TS Tricuspid stenosis
TT thrombin time
TTE Transthoracic echocardiogram
TTP Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
TTS Transdermal therapeutic system
Tu Tumor
TUR Transurethral resection

U

UBT Urea Breath Test
USG Ultrasonography
USR Unheated Serum Reagin
UVAL Ultraviolet Argon Laser
USS Ultrasound scan

V

VAD vincristine adriblastine dexamethasone
VAMP vincristine adriblastine methylprednisone
VC Vital capacity
V-BAC Vaginal Birth After Caesarian
VD Vaginal Delivery
VDRL Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory
VEB Vetricular ectopic beat
VF Ventricular fibrillation
VIP Vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL Very low density lipoprotein
VMA Vanillylmandelic acid
VSD Ventricular septal defect
VT Ventricular tachycardia

W

WBC White blood cells
WPW Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Z

ZIFT Zygote intrafallopian transfer