ProSim™ 8
Users Manual
A-6
Nanometer
One-billionth (10
-9
) of a meter.
Nanosecond
One billionth (10
-9
) of a second (one thousand-millionth of a second). Electricity
travels approximately one foot per nanosecond.
Nodal Rhythm
Normal rhythm, but with a P wave that originates in the AV node, and a P-R
interval that is very short. Nodal rhythm, also referred to as junctional rhythm or
junctional escape, is a condition where the predominant pacemaker is the AV
node rather than the SA node.
Noninvasive
Not tending to spread; especially, not tending to invade healthy tissue.
Ohm
A unit of electrical resistance equal to that of a conductor in which a current of
one ampere is produced by a potential of one volt across its terminals.
PAP
Pulmonary arterial pressure.
Patient Leads
Cables that connect a patient directly with the monitor. Sometimes called applied
parts.
Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT)
Normal rhythm at alternating rates. When atrial tachycardia occurs as a seizure-
like spasmodic event, it is called paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or PAT. PATs
typically start and stop suddenly, initiated by a premature atrial contraction
(PAC). PAT spasms may last for only a few seconds or for minutes or hours. A
patient may experience ATs and PATs over the course of many years.
PCWP
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Also known as PAW.
Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
A beat that is 25 % premature but otherwise normal. Any part of the heart can
depolarize earlier than it should; the accompanying heartbeat is called
extrasystole. This type of depolarization is called a premature contraction; a
premature contraction that originates in the SA node is referred to as a PAC. An
isolated PAC is relatively unimportant. However, frequent PACs are a concern,
because they could be the precursor of more serious and potentially life-
threatening conditions, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and atrial
tachycardia.
Premature Nodal Contraction (PNC)
A nodal beat that is 25 % premature, followed by a nodal rhythm at 80 BPM. A
premature nodal contraction—also called a premature junctional contraction, a
PNC, or a PJC—is an extra beat that occurs as a result of an electrical impulse
sent from the atrioventricular (junctional) node. The P-R interval is shorter than
normal. PNCs, which may occur in isolation or in groups, can appear sporadically
for no obvious reason in an otherwise-healthy person.
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