HOLOACARDIUS Meaning and
Definition
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Holoacardius is a medical term referring to a rare congenital malformation that results in the incomplete development or absence of the heart within the chest cavity. It is considered a severe form of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which occurs during pregnancy when blood supply is imbalanced between identical twins sharing a placenta. In holoacardius, the heart of one twin fails to develop fully or is completely absent, while the heart of the other twin is typically normal.
This condition is characterized by the presence of a rudimentary mass resembling cardiac tissue or a partially formed heart, attached to the placenta and connected to the normal twin's umbilical cord. The absence or underdevelopment of the heart in one twin places a significant burden on the other twin's cardiovascular system, as it attempts to compensate for both hearts.
Holoacardius is an extremely rare condition and has been predominantly identified through postmortem examinations. The precise cause of holoacardius is not entirely understood but is thought to be related to abnormalities during early embryonic development.
Due to the complex nature of holoacardius, treatment options are limited, and in most cases, it is incompatible with life. Physicians typically focus on nurturing the healthy twin, closely monitoring cardiac function, and managing any complications that may arise during pregnancy.
In conclusion, holoacardius is a severe congenital abnormality characterized by the incomplete development or absence of a heart in one twin, making it an extremely challenging condition that often leads to substantial complications and minimal viable treatment options.
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1. A monster having no trace of a heart. 2. One of twin fetuses in which a heart may be present, yet the circulation is effected entirely by the other twin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HOLOACARDIUS
- holoacardiws
- holoacardits
- holoacardiu3
- holoacardiuc
- holoacardiuq
- holoacardiur
- hoeloacardius
- h oloacardius
- ho loacardius
- hol oacardius
- holo acardius
- holoa cardius
- holoac ardius
- holoaca rdius
- holoacar dius
- holoacard ius
- holoacardi us
- holoacardiu s
Etymology of HOLOACARDIUS
The word "holoacardius" is derived from two Greek roots: "holos" meaning "entire" or "whole", and "acardia" meaning "lack of a heart". The term is used in medical terminology to describe a rare developmental abnormality in which a fetus develops without a heart, or with a severely underdeveloped heart.
