Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

cM
Centimorgan.
CME
Continuing medical education, education
that physicians are required to obtain in order to
earn CME credits to retain their medical licenses.
They may do so by taking courses, attending med-
ical conferences where they learn about new devel-
opments, or by reading and taking tests.
CML
Chronic myeloid leukemia. See 
leukemia,
chronic myeloid.
CNA
Certified nurse aide. See 
nurse assistant.
CNS
Central nervous system.
CNS prophylaxis
Chemotherapy or radiation
therapy to the central nervous system (CNS) as a
preventive treatment. CNS prophylaxis is given to kill
cancer cells that may be in the brain and spinal
cord, even though no cancer has been detected
there.
coagulation, blood
See 
blood coagulation.
coal miner’s pneumoconosis
See 
black lung
disease.
coarctation
A narrowing, stricture, or constric-
tion of an artery. The sides of the vessel at the point
of a coarctation appear to be pressed together.
coarctation of the aorta
Congenital constric-
tion of the aorta that impedes the flow of blood
below the level of the constriction and increases
blood pressure above the constriction. Symptoms
may not be evident at birth but may develop as soon
as the first week after birth, with congestive heart
failure or high blood pressure that can require early
surgery. The outlook after surgery is favorable.
Some cases have been treated with balloon angio-
plasty.
coated stent
A tiny cage to prop open an artery
and prevent it from closing again, that is coated with
a drug. The stent is inserted into a coronary artery,
usually just after an angioplasty has been done, to
keep open the vessel. The stent slowly releases the
drug with which it is coated. Coated stents reduce
the risk of artery re-narrowing (restenosis) after
angioplasty. Also known as a medicated stent, drug-
coated stent, drug-eluting stent, eluting stent.
cocaine
A substance derived from the leaves of
the coca plant that is a bitter, addictive substance
formerly used as an anesthetic. Safer anesthetics
than cocaine were developed in the 20th century,
although it is still used as an injectable anesthetic by
some dentists. Synthetic alternatives, such as pro-
caine, are used far more widely. Tragically, cocaine
is a highly addictive and destructive street drug.