Glossary - Health Care Terms
Acute-Graft-versus-Host-Disease (aGvHD)
Acute phase of Graft-versus-Host-Disease, caused by T-cells in the donor graft that attack the host organism.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Transplantation of donor stem cells
Albumin
A protein that can be used to monitor a patient's nutritional condition.
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins that bind specifically to a particular substance, its antigen. Antibodies are known collectively as immunoglobulins. They are produced by B-lymphocytes and plasma cells in response to infection or immunization, and bind to and neutralize pathogens, thus preparing them for uptake and destruction of phagocytes.
Antiretroviral drugs
Drugs that inhibit the multiplication of specific viruses (retroviruses).
APD (Automated Peritoneal Dialysis)
Machine-supported version of peritoneal dialysis treatment, usually performed during the night.
Apheresis
Process of obtaining blood from a donor or patient to separate or remove certain components (thrombocytes, plasma) before re-infusing the remainder.
Ascites
Accumulation of excess fluid in the abdomen due to disturbed balance of influx and efflux as a result of a malignant disease.
Aterio-venous fistula
Surgically created direct connection between an artery and a vein of a patient. This forms a large blood vessel with an increased blood flow, providing access for hemodialysis.
Biocompatibility
Quality and compatibility of the material, the system or the solution which prevent negative reactions by the organism of the patient
Blood volume replacement
Infusion solution to compensate blood loss
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Ratio to evalue the nutritional status. It is derived from the formula weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. The normal range is 18 to 25.
Cell separator
A device to obtain blood components. Blood is donated by means of tube pumps and transported to a centrifuge. In the centrifuge, the desired components (e.g. red blood cells, plasma, thrombocytes) are enriched and collected. The components which are not required are returned to the donor.
Clearance
A quantitative parameter to describe the dialyzer performance in terms of uremic toxin removal.
CMS
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the US
Citrate
Salt of the citric acid. By infusing citrate into the arterial limb of the extracorporeal blood circulation, blood clotting is avoided.
Colloids
Blood and plasma substitutes
Compounding
Mixing of different solutions or components for I.V. or parenteral nutrition therapy.
Dialysate (dialysis solution)
Solution used during the process of dialysis.
Dialysis
A type of renal replacement therapy where a semi-permeable membrane - in peritoneal dialysis the peritoneum of the patient, and in hemodialysis the membrane of the dialyzer - is used for selective solute removal.
Dialysis machine
The hemodialysis process is controlled by a dialysis machine which pumps blood, adds anti-coagulants, regulates the cleansing process, and controls the mixture of dialysate and its flow rate through the system.
Dialyzer
Special filter used in hemodialysis for removing toxic substances and excess water from the blood.
Diffusion
An exchange in the chemical concentration of two fluids that are divided by a semi-permeable membrane. The transfer of metabolic toxins through the membrane into the dialysate is based on this physical transport law.
Disease State Management
Holistic concept of patient treatment taking into account all medical aspects associated with the disease.
Enteral nutrition
Application of liquid nutrition as tube or sip feed via the gastrointestinal tract
Epithelial tumours
Tumors which arise due to a malformation of surface cells
Extracorporeal
Taking place outside the body
Hemodiafiltration (HDF)
Special mode of ESRD (end-stage renal disease) treatment, combining advantages of hemodialysis and hemofiltration, i.e. high elimination rates for small and large molecular weight substances via diffusive and convective mechanisms, respectively.
Hemodialysis (HD)
A treatment method for dialysis patients where the blood of the patient is cleansed by a dialyzer. The solute exchange between blood and dialysate is dominated by diffusive processes.
Hemoperfusion
Extracorporeal blood cleansing process to remove toxic substances from the blood using adsorbants.
HES (hydroxyethyl starch)
Derived from waxy maize starch, HES solutions can substitute deficient blood volume and improve the viscosity of the blood.
Immuncomponent cells
Cells which can take over the specific functions of the immune system (e.g. lymphocytes and killer cells).
Immunosuppressive agent
Drug that artificially suppresses or weakens the immune reaction of the organism. It is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases or to prevent transplantated organs being rejected.
INN (International non-proprietary name)
Official non-proprietary or generic name given to a pharmaceutical substance, as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Intraperitoneal
Administration of a drug directly into the peritoneal cavity
Leukocyte depletion
Removal (complete or partial) of leukocytes (white blood cells) from blood or blood components
Leukocyte filtration
Removal of white blood cells by means of filtration
Lipid emulsions
Lipid emulsions are elements of parenteral nutrition and primarily provide energy and essential fatty acids.
Lipid metabolism
Synthesis, break down and rearrangement of lipids in the human organism.
Mesothelial cells
Cells of the mesothelium (layer of cells lining the peritoneal cavity)
Parenteral nutrition
Application of nutrients directly into the bloodstream of the patient (intravenously)
Peripheral blood
Blood from the peripheral systemic circulation
Peritoneal dialysis (PD)
Dialysis treatment method using the patient's peritoneum as a "filter" to cleanse his or her blood.
Peritoneal dialysis solution
Solution introduced into the abdominal cavity of the patient to adsorb toxins and excess water.
Polyclonal antibodies
Antibodies that recognize one specific structure, but are produced by different cell clones.
Polyolefines
Polymer materials, containing only carbon and hydrogen
Port
A fully implantable subcutaneous small housing with membrane and catheter for chemotherapy, infusion therapy, pareneral nutrition etc.
Sepsis
Blood poisoning through bacteria, fungi or viruses
Single-use dialyzer
Dialyzer which is not used several times (re-use) but only one single time.
Stem cells of the bone marrow
Blood stem cells from which all blood particles develop
Thrombocytes
Blood platelets
Transnasal
Via the nose
Trifunctional Antibodies
Antibodies that bind to three different cell types in parallel (e.g. tumor cells, T-cells and accessory cells) resulting in a tumor-specific immune reaction.
Validation
Validation proves that the production plants and processes used to manufacture medications ensure safe drugs of constant high quality.
Vascular access (shunt)
Mode of connecting the patient's blood circulation to the dialyzer. The vascular access must allow sufficient blood flows and connections as often as necessary.
Virostatic agents
Chemical substances for the therapy of virus-related infections
Volume substitute
Infusion solution to compensate blood loss
Volumetric pumps
Electronic pumps for intravenous infusion of fluids and drugs for parenteral nutrition with accuracy (volumetric-based)