Definitions & Acronyms - Ontario Association of Cardiologists

Cardiology and Ontario Health Care Glossary

This glossary explains clinical, health system and physician payment terms commonly used in OAC communications. Clinical definitions are provided for general information only.

ABPM – Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

A test that records blood pressure at regular intervals, usually over 24 hours, while the patient goes about normal activities and sleeps. It can identify blood-pressure patterns that may not be apparent from readings taken in a physician’s office.

BNP/NT-proBNP – B-Type Natriuretic Peptide/N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide

Blood tests that measure substances released when the heart is under increased pressure or strain. The results can help rule out or support a diagnosis of heart failure when considered with a patient’s symptoms and other findings.

ECG/EKG – Electrocardiogram

A test that records the heart’s electrical activity through electrodes placed on the skin. It provides information about heart rate and rhythm and can help identify a range of cardiac abnormalities.

Echocardiography / Echocardiogram / Echo

An ultrasound examination of the heart used to assess its chambers, valves, pumping function and blood flow.

Common forms include:

TTE – Transthoracic Echocardiography: Images are obtained by placing an ultrasound probe on the patient’s chest.
TEE – Transesophageal Echocardiography: A specialized examination in which an ultrasound probe is passed into the esophagus to obtain more detailed images of certain heart structures.
Stress Echocardiography: Images are taken at rest and during or immediately after exercise, or after medication is used to make the heart work harder.

HF/CHF – Heart Failure / Congestive Heart Failure

A chronic condition in which the heart is not pumping or filling as well as it should. The heart may be too weak, too stiff or both. “Congestive heart failure” generally refers to heart failure accompanied by fluid buildup.

Holter Monitor

A portable device that continuously records the heart’s electrical activity, usually for 24 hours or longer. It can help identify intermittent heart-rhythm problems that may not appear during a standard ECG.

TAVI/TAVR – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation / Replacement

A procedure used to replace a diseased aortic heart valve without traditional open-heart surgery. TAVI and TAVR refer to the same general procedure, with TAVI more commonly used in Canada.

CorHealth Ontario

A former provincial agency responsible for cardiac, stroke and vascular services. Previously known as the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario, CorHealth developed provincial cardiac standards and initially administered the EQI Program. Its functions were transferred to Ontario Health in 2021.

CWC – Choosing Wisely Canada

Choosing Wisely Canada is a national initiative focused on reducing unnecessary tests and treatments and helping clinicians and patients make informed care decisions.

eHealth Ontario

A former provincial digital-health agency. Its functions were transferred to Ontario Health in 2019.

EMR/EHR – Electronic Medical Record /Electronic Health Record

An electronic medical record is a digital patient record maintained by a physician practice or health-care organization.

An electronic health record is the broader collection of a patient’s health information across different providers and care settings. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

EQI Program – Echocardiography Quality Improvement Program

Ontario’s accreditation program for echocardiography facilities. It is funded by the Ministry of Health and administered by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics.

Participation in the adult EQI Program is mandatory for facilities providing adult echocardiography services in Ontario. Facilities are assessed against the EQI Program Accreditation Requirements.

HRM – Hospital Report Manager

Health Report Manager is an OntarioMD service that securely delivers patient reports from participating hospitals and specialty clinics directly into community clinicians’ electronic medical records.

ICES – Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Studies

ICES is an independent, not-for-profit health research and analytics institute. It uses health data to produce evidence that informs health-care planning, policy and evaluation.

ICES has been its official name since 2018. It was formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.

Ministry of Health or MoH

The Ministry of Health is responsible for Ontario health-care policy, legislation, funding and oversight. It is separate from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

OAC – Ontario Association of Cardiologists

The Ontario Association of Cardiologists is a voluntary professional association representing academic and community cardiologists in Ontario. Formed in 1995, the OAC advocates for patient access to cardiac care and represents the professional and practice interests of Ontario cardiologists.

OHIP – Ontario Health Insurance Plan

Ontario’s publicly funded health insurance plan. OHIP covers physician, hospital and other health-care services insured under provincial legislation.

OMA – Ontario Medical Association

The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario physicians in negotiations, advocacy, policy development and other professional matters.

OMA Section on Cardiology

The OMA constituency group representing physicians practising cardiology. It brings the specialty’s perspective to the OMA and participates in physician-compensation and health-policy matters.

The Section is separate from, but works closely with, the OAC.

OntarioMD

OntarioMD is a subsidiary of the OMA that helps physicians and their staff adopt and make effective use of electronic medical records and other digital-health tools.

Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services

The Ministry of Health document that lists services insured by OHIP, their fee schedule codes and the rules governing when they may be billed.