What term refers to a low-grade, protracted inflammatory process?

The term that refers to a low-grade, protracted inflammatory process is chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is characterized by a prolonged and often less intense inflammatory response that can last for months or years. It typically arises due to persistent irritants, infections, or autoimmune processes and can lead to ongoing tissue damage, fibrosis, and changes in the immune system. This type of inflammation is fundamental in various chronic diseases, such as arthritis and heart disease, and is distinct from acute inflammation, which is a short-term response to injury or infection characterized by the classic signs of redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

In contrast, an acute injury refers to a sudden and often severe episode of trauma or damage to tissues, leading to acute inflammation, which is a quick and intense response. Cardiac dysfunction pertains to issues related to the heart's ability to pump blood effectively and does not specifically relate to inflammation. Bursitis is a specific condition characterized by inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues, but it is not a general term for a protracted inflammatory process like chronic inflammation is. Thus, chronic inflammation is the most appropriate choice for describing a low-grade, ongoing inflammatory response.