Russia Primary Medical Accreditation - General Medicine key terms

A sudden reduction of blood flow to heart muscle, covering unstable angina and myocardial infarction, usually from plaque rupture or thrombosis. It is diagnosed with ECG changes and cardiac troponin levels and requires urgent treatment.

A heart attack with persistent ST elevation on ECG, indicating complete coronary artery occlusion. It calls for rapid reperfusion by primary angioplasty or thrombolysis to limit muscle damage.

A protein released into blood when heart muscle cells are damaged. High-sensitivity assays detect small amounts and are the preferred marker for diagnosing myocardial infarction.

A clinical syndrome of breathlessness and fluid retention in which the left ventricle pumps poorly, with ejection fraction usually below 40 percent. Treatment includes diuretics plus drugs that improve survival.

The percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each beat. It is measured by echocardiography and used to classify heart failure and guide treatment.

A common irregular heart rhythm in which the atria quiver instead of contracting normally, producing an irregular pulse. It raises stroke risk and is managed with rate control and anticoagulation.

A point system estimating stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation using age, sex, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and prior stroke. Higher scores support starting oral anticoagulation.

Severe blood pressure elevation accompanied by acute organ damage such as encephalopathy, heart failure, aortic dissection or renal injury. It requires controlled intravenous blood pressure lowering in hospital.

Persistently elevated blood pressure, generally at or above 140/90 mmHg on repeated office measurements. It is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke, heart and kidney disease.

Thickening of the heart's left ventricle muscle, often from long-standing high blood pressure. It appears on ECG and echocardiography and increases the risk of arrhythmia and heart failure.

An ultrasound examination of the heart that shows chamber size, valve function and pumping ability. It is used to assess heart failure, valve disease and pericardial effusion.

A progressive lung disease with persistent airflow limitation, usually from tobacco smoke, causing cough and breathlessness. Diagnosis is confirmed by spirometry showing obstruction that does not fully reverse.

A lung function test measuring how much and how fast a person breathes out. A reduced FEV1-to-FVC ratio after bronchodilator confirms obstructive lung disease.

A chronic inflammatory airway disease causing variable wheeze, cough and breathlessness, often with reversible airflow obstruction. Treatment relies on inhaled corticosteroids with reliever bronchodilators.

An acute lung infection acquired outside hospital, with fever, cough and a new infiltrate on chest imaging. Severity scoring guides whether treatment is outpatient or inpatient.

A five-point score predicting pneumonia mortality using confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age over 65. It helps decide the site of care and treatment intensity.

Inability of the lungs to maintain adequate oxygen or remove carbon dioxide, confirmed by arterial blood gases. It is classified as type 1 (low oxygen) or type 2 (high carbon dioxide).

A non-invasive method estimating blood oxygen saturation using light absorbed through a finger probe. It is a quick screening tool but can mislead in poor circulation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and bicarbonate in arterial blood. It assesses oxygenation, ventilation and acid-base balance in acutely ill patients.

An open sore in the stomach or duodenal lining, most often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It presents with epigastric pain and can bleed.

A combined antibiotic and acid-suppressing regimen that clears this stomach bacterium, healing ulcers and reducing recurrence. Cure is usually confirmed by a breath or stool test after treatment.

A drug class that strongly suppresses stomach acid production by blocking the proton pump in acid-secreting cells. It is used for ulcers, reflux disease and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Bleeding from the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, shown by vomiting blood or black tarry stools. It is an emergency requiring resuscitation and urgent endoscopy.

Advanced liver scarring with loss of normal function, causing jaundice, fluid accumulation and bleeding tendency. Complications include portal hypertension and liver failure.

Abnormally high pressure in the portal vein system, usually from cirrhosis. It leads to enlarged veins, ascites and variceal bleeding.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, commonly from cirrhosis, heart failure or cancer. It is detected by examination and confirmed with ultrasound or fluid sampling.

A group of metabolic disorders with persistently high blood glucose due to insulin deficiency or resistance. Long-term complications affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.

Glycated haemoglobin reflecting average blood glucose over the previous two to three months. It is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes, with targets set individually.

A life-threatening complication of diabetes with high glucose, ketones and acid buildup in the blood. It requires intravenous fluids, insulin and correction of electrolyte disturbances.

Abnormally low blood glucose, typically below 3.9 mmol/L, causing sweating, confusion or seizures. It is corrected quickly with fast-acting oral sugar or intravenous glucose.

A condition in which blood becomes too acidic because of acid accumulation or bicarbonate loss. Causes include ketoacidosis, kidney failure and severe diarrhoea; it is identified on blood gas analysis.

A sudden decline in kidney function over hours to days, shown by rising creatinine or falling urine output. Causes are grouped as prerenal, intrinsic and postrenal, and treatment targets the cause.

Long-standing loss of kidney function or structure lasting over three months, staged by estimated glomerular filtration rate. It increases cardiovascular risk and may progress to dialysis dependence.

Abnormally high blood potassium, which can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. It is common in kidney failure and is treated with calcium, insulin-glucose and potassium removal.

Use of drugs that increase urine output to remove excess fluid, such as loop or thiazide diuretics. Used in heart failure, ascites and hypertension, with monitoring of electrolytes and kidney function.

Anaemia caused by insufficient iron for red blood cell production, showing low haemoglobin and low ferritin. It usually points to blood loss or poor absorption and requires finding the cause.

A protein storing iron, measured in blood to estimate body iron reserves. Low levels indicate iron deficiency, while high levels occur in inflammation and iron overload.

Treatment with drugs that slow blood clotting to prevent or treat thrombosis, such as heparin or warfarin. It requires monitoring for bleeding risk and, for some agents, laboratory control.

Use of drugs that kill or inhibit bacteria, chosen according to the likely organism, site and severity of infection. Rational prescribing includes correct dose, duration and review of response.

An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most often affecting the lungs with cough, fever and weight loss. Diagnosis uses sputum testing and imaging, and treatment combines several drugs for months.

A chronic autoimmune disease causing symmetrical inflammation of small joints, with pain, swelling and morning stiffness. Early treatment with disease-modifying drugs prevents joint damage.

An acute-phase protein that rises in blood during inflammation or infection. It helps assess disease activity and response to treatment but is not specific to any one condition.

A nonspecific blood test measuring how quickly red cells settle, which increases with inflammation. It supports diagnosis and monitoring of infections and rheumatic disease.

Emergency chest compressions with rescue breaths to maintain circulation and breathing after cardiac arrest. High-quality compressions and early defibrillation greatly improve survival.

Delivery of an electric shock to the heart to stop a lethal rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation. It is most effective when performed early in cardiac arrest.

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction with airway swelling, breathlessness and falling blood pressure. Immediate intramuscular adrenaline is the first-line treatment.

A procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries using a balloon and often a stent. In heart attack it restores blood flow and is the preferred reperfusion method when available promptly.

Use of inhaled drugs that relax airway muscles to relieve wheeze and breathlessness. Short-acting agents relieve symptoms, while long-acting agents are used regularly in asthma and COPD.

A coordinated process helping a person recover function and independence after illness or injury. It combines physical therapy, exercise, education and adaptation of daily activities.

A patient's agreement to a medical intervention after receiving understandable information about its purpose, risks, alternatives and consequences. It must be given freely by a person with capacity and documented.

The duty to keep a patient's health information private and share it only with those involved in care or as permitted by law. Breach may carry legal and professional consequences.

A scheduled health check programme for defined population groups to detect disease early and assess risk factors. It includes screening tests, risk assessment and follow-up planning in primary care.