name: St. Jude Medical Vocabulary
description: >-
  Vocabulary for St. Jude Medical (now Abbott) cardiovascular medical devices,
  cardiac rhythm management, and remote patient monitoring via the Merlin.net
  Patient Care Network.
created: '2026-05-02'
modified: '2026-05-02'
terms:
  - term: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
    abbreviation: ICD
    definition: >-
      A battery-powered device implanted in the chest to monitor heart rhythm
      and deliver electric shocks to restore normal rhythm when life-threatening
      arrhythmias are detected.

  - term: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator
    abbreviation: CRT-D
    definition: >-
      A device that combines cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation
      capabilities. It coordinates the contractions of the left and right
      ventricles to improve heart function while also treating arrhythmias.

  - term: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker
    abbreviation: CRT-P
    definition: >-
      A biventricular pacemaker that coordinates contractions of both ventricles
      to improve heart function in patients with heart failure without the
      defibrillation function of a CRT-D.

  - term: Pacemaker
    definition: >-
      A small electronic device implanted in the chest to help regulate slow
      or irregular heartbeats by delivering electrical impulses to the heart.

  - term: Merlin.net
    definition: >-
      Abbott's web-based remote cardiac monitoring platform (formerly St. Jude
      Medical's Merlin.net Patient Care Network) that receives and displays
      transmitted device data from patients with implanted cardiac devices.

  - term: Merlin@home
    definition: >-
      A wireless transmitter placed near the patient's bed that communicates
      with implanted cardiac devices via short-range radio frequency signals and
      automatically transmits device data to the Merlin.net network.

  - term: Cardiac Rhythm Management
    abbreviation: CRM
    definition: >-
      The specialty within cardiology focused on diagnosing and treating
      disorders of the heart's electrical system using devices such as
      pacemakers, ICDs, and CRT devices.

  - term: Electrophysiology
    abbreviation: EP
    definition: >-
      The study of the electrical properties and conduction systems of the
      heart. Electrophysiology catheters and mapping systems are used to
      diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

  - term: Lead
    definition: >-
      An insulated wire connecting an implanted cardiac device to the heart
      muscle. Leads deliver pacing impulses and sense electrical activity.
      Positioned in the right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), or left
      ventricle (LV).

  - term: Lead Impedance
    definition: >-
      The electrical resistance measured in the pacing circuit. Normal
      impedance values indicate proper lead function; abnormal values may
      indicate lead dislodgment or fracture.

  - term: Pacing Threshold
    definition: >-
      The minimum electrical stimulation energy required to consistently
      capture (pace) the heart. Measured in volts or milliamperes.

  - term: Elective Replacement Indicator
    abbreviation: ERI
    definition: >-
      A battery status indicator signaling that the device battery is
      approaching depletion and device replacement should be scheduled.
      Typically provides 3-6 months of remaining service life.

  - term: Remote Monitoring
    definition: >-
      The automatic transmission of device data from a patient's implanted
      cardiac device to the healthcare provider via the Merlin@home transmitter
      and Merlin.net network without requiring in-clinic visits.

  - term: Arrhythmia
    definition: >-
      An abnormal heart rhythm. Types include ventricular fibrillation (VF),
      ventricular tachycardia (VT), atrial fibrillation (AF), and
      bradycardia. ICDs treat life-threatening arrhythmias.

  - term: Ventricular Fibrillation
    abbreviation: VF
    definition: >-
      A life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia in which the heart's lower chambers
      quiver rapidly and chaotically. ICDs deliver high-energy shocks to
      terminate VF and restore normal rhythm.

  - term: Atrial Fibrillation
    abbreviation: AF
    definition: >-
      A common heart arrhythmia in which the heart's upper chambers beat
      irregularly. St. Jude Medical produces catheters and ablation systems
      for treating AF.