Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) -- A test that records the electrical
activity of the heart. An EKG helps a physician determine the causes of abnormal
heart beat or detect heart damage.
Gallbladder x-ray -- Views the gallbladder to determine the presence of
gallstones.
Gingival hypertrophy -- Enlargement of the gums. This condition is a
common side effect of the medication cyclosporine (Sandimmune) and is easily
managed with good oral hygiene.
Glucose -- A type of sugar found in the blood. Glucose is a vital carbohydrate
for the body's metabolism.
Graft -- A transplanted tissue or organ (such as the kidney or liver).
Hirsutism -- An excessive increase of hair growth, sometimes leading
to male pattern hair growth in a female. Hirsutism is a common side effect of corticosteroids
and can also occur with cyclosporine (Sandimmune) therapy. Hirsutism can be
treated with depilatory creams or other hair removal methods.
Hypertension -- High blood pressure.
Immune system -- The body's response mechanism for fighting against
bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. If the body does not recognize
a cell or tissue (such as bacteria or a transplanted organ), the immune system
will act against the "invader." The immune system is the body's way to fight
disease.
Immunosuppression -- The use of medications to suppress the formation of an
immune response.
Living-related donor -- An immediate family member (parent, sibling,
or child) who donates an organ. The living donor may also be an uncle, aunt, cousin, or
even a spouse.
Lower GI (gastrointestinal) series -- A series of x-rays used to determine
intestinal abnormalities.
Nephrologist -- A physician with extensive training and experience in the areas
of kidney disease and transplantation.
Noncompliance -- Failure to follow instructions given by health care providers,
such as not taking medication as prescribed or not attending follow-up appointments.
Pulmonary function test -- A test used to reveal lung capacity and function, and
to determine the blood's capacity to transport oxygen.
Rejection -- An immune system response that occurs when the immune
system treats a transplanted organ as a
foreign "invader" and acts against it. If left untreated, rejection
can result in organ failure.
Renal scan -- A test used to examine the function of a transplanted kidney. A
small amount of radioactive material is administered intravenously to progress through the
kidney. A "scanner" is positioned over the kidney to evaluate the material's
movement. This test is completed several times following a transplant to determine the
kidney's function.
Stress test -- A test that uses exercise to evaluate cardiovascular fitness.
Systolic -- The top number in a blood pressure reading which indicates
the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood.
Tissue typing -- A test to evaluate the compatibility or closeness of
tissue between the organ donor and recipient.
Trough levels -- Refers to the 12-hour period between an evening dose of
cyclosporine (Sandimmune) and blood work completed the next morning. Important: Do not
take a morning dose of cyclosporine until the blood work has been completed.
Upper GI (gastrointestinal) series -- A series of x-rays used to determine
intestinal abnormalities.