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(dij′ĭt) [L. digitus, finger] A finger or toe.
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(dij′ĭt-ăl) 1. In anatomy, pert. to a digit. 2. In statistics, pert. to a variable (a value that can change in a problem or operation or set of operations).
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Excessive use of or dependence on the Internet, lap top and other computers, smart phones, social media, and video games. The use interferes with a person’s ability to function effectively in other life activities.
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Difficulties with accommodation, blurry vision, dry eye, headache, or ocular sensitivity resulting from using computer monitors, smart phones, or tablets for prolonged periods. SYN: computer vision syndrome.
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Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
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ABBR: DICOM. The computer standard language for distributing and viewing any type of medical image.
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(dĭj″ĭ-tăl′ĭs) [L. digitus, finger] An antiarrhythmic and cardiotonic drug, derived from the dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea, the common foxglove. It is also found in smaller quantities in the leaves of other plants, such as rhododendrons.
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ACTION/USES: Digitalis glycosides increase the force of myocardial contraction, increase the refractory period of the atrioventricular node, and, to a lesser degree, affect the sinoatrial node. Digitalis increases cardiac output by increasing the contractility of cardiac muscle. Digitalis is used to treat patients with congestive heart failure: it contributes to an improvement in exercise tolerance in these patients. Digitalis glycosides can also be used to control heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardias.
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Potassium depletion, which may accompany diuresis, sensitizes the myocardium to digitalis and may permit toxicity to develop with what would otherwise be the usual dose. Patients with acute myocardial infarction, severe pulmonary disease, or far-advanced heart failure may be more sensitive to digitalis and prone to develop arrhythmias. Calcium affects the heart in a manner similar to that of digitalis; its use in a digitalized patient may produce serious arrhythmias. In myxedema, digitalis requirements are decreased because the excretion rate of the drug is decreased. Patients with incomplete atrioventricular block (esp. those with Stokes-Adams attacks) may develop complete heart block if given digitalis. Because renal insufficiency delays the excretion of digitalis, the dose of the drug must be decreased in patients with this problem. Digitalis glycosides interact with many other drugs used to treat patients with heart failure, e.g., warfarin and amiodarone. Patients taking agents that alter drug levels of digitalis may need frequent clinical assessment to prevent digitalis toxicity. Older patients, in whom the drug is most often used, are at greatest risk for digitalis toxicity.
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SEE: poisoning, digitalis.
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(dĭj″ĭ-tăl-ĭ-zā′shŭn) 1....