THE PROS AND CONS: The fact that proper nouns are used in medicine is regularly criticised (notably because of the lack of scientific rigour). However, such use in cardiology remains an active tradition for three, historical, precision and linguistic, reasons. SIGNIFICATION: In general, the proper nouns pay a tribute to a famous physician. They reflect the scientific support to Cardiology provided by each country. THE OUTCOME OF PROPER NOUNS: Some proper nouns become inescapable and classic, others become outmoded whilst new ones regularly appear. A proper noun can become forgotten with the regression of a disease, a decline in clinical semiology or in that of a technique.