Glossary
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- A person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. See also First Nations person.
- acute rheumatic fever (ARF)
- An acute, serious disease that affects mainly children and young adults, and can damage the heart valves, the heart muscle and its lining, the joints, and the brain. It is brought on by a reaction to a throat or skin infection by group A streptococcal bacteria. Now very rare in the non-Indigenous population, it is still at unacceptably high levels among First Nations people living in remote areas. Also referred to as rheumatic fever.
- aortic valve
- Valve between the left ventricle and the aorta in the heart.
- bioprosthetic valve
- A prosthetic valve made from human or animal donor tissue. Used in patients with rheumatic heart disease who require surgery.
- First Nations person
- A person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Used interchangeably with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in this report. See also Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- group A streptococcus (Strep A) infection
- Caused by bacteria known as group A (beta-haemolytic) streptococcus, a common infection that can cause sore throats (pharyngitis), scarlet fever or impetigo (skin sores).
- health hardware
- The physical equipment necessary for healthy, hygienic living within homes or communities. The term has been used to describe safe electrical systems, toilets, showers, taps, kitchen cupboards and benches, stoves, ovens and fridges collectively.
- mechanical valve
- A long-lasting valve made of durable materials. Used in patients with rheumatic heart disease who require surgery. Requires lifelong anticoagulant medication.
- mitral valve
- Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle in the heart.
- Non-Indigenous Australians
- People who have declared that they are not of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Compare with First Nations person and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- pulmonary valve
- Valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery in the heart.
- region of management
- The regional health boundaries are defined by each jurisdiction. For some jurisdictions, the regions align with other standard geographic classifications such as remoteness categories but for other jurisdictions the regions are state-specific areas.
- rheumatic fever
- See acute rheumatic fever.
- rheumatic heart disease (RHD)
- An acquired chronic disease referring to damaged heart valves caused by earlier episode(s) of acute rheumatic fever.
- tricuspid valve
- Valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle in the heart.
- valvotomy
- An operation that opens up a stenosed (unnaturally narrow) heart valve and allows it to function properly. Used in patients with rheumatic heart disease who require surgery.
- valve repair
- Reconstruction, restoration of diseased native valve tissue. An alternative to valve replacement and used in patients with rheumatic heart disease who require surgery.
- valve replacement
- Replacement of one or more of the heart valves with either an artificial valve or a bioprosthesis. Used in patients with rheumatic heart disease who require surgery. See also bioprosthetic valve.