decompensation

decompensation definition - medical

de·com·pen·sa·tion (dēˌkŏm-pən-sāˈshən)

noun
  1. Failure of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation, marked by labored breathing, engorged blood vessels, and edema.
  2. The appearance or exacerbation of a mental disorder due to failure of defense mechanisms.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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