Acute

Of short duration, rapid and abbreviated in onset, in reference to a disease. “Acute” is a measure of the time scale of a disease and is in contrast to “subacute” and “chronic.” “Subacute” indicates longer duration or less rapid change. “Chronic” indicates indefinite duration or virtually no change. The time scale depends on the particular disease. For example, an “acute” myocardial infarction (heart attack) may last a week while a bout of “acute” sore throat may only last a day or two.

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1. Referring to a health effect, usually of rapid onset, brief, not prolonged; sometimes loosely used to mean severe. 2. Referring to exposure, brief, intense, short-term; sometimes specifically referring to brief exposure of high intensity. [L. acutus, sharp]

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Analysis of Coronary Ultrasound Thrombolysis Endpoints; Assessment of Cardioversion Utilizing Transesophageal Echocardiography [pilot study]

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acute ə-'kyüt adj

1) sensing or perceiving accurately, clearly, effectively, or sensitively <\acute vision>

2 a) characterized by sharpness or severity <\acute pain> <an \acute infection>

b ) (1) having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course <an \acute disease> <an \acute inflammation> compare CHRONIC (2a) (2) ACUTE CARE <an \acute hospital>

c) lasting a short time <\acute experiments>

acute·ly adv

acute·ness n

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adj.

1. describing a disease of rapid onset, severe symptoms, and brief duration. Compare chronic.

2. describing any intense symptom, such as severe pain.

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(ə-kūtґ) [L. acutus sharp] having a short and relatively severe course.