- Macroangiopathy
Macroangiopathy is an
angiopathy of the greaterblood vessel s. [DorlandsDict|nine/12924584|Macroangiopathy]Pathophysiology
In macroangiopathy, fat and blood clots build up in the large
blood vessels , stick to the vessel walls, and block the flow of blood.The decrease of blood flow through
stenosis orclot formation impair the flow of oxygen to cells and biological tissues (calledischemia ) and lead to their death (necrosis and gangrene, which in turn may requireamputation ). Thus, tissues which are very sensitive to oxygen levels, such as theretina , develop microangiopathy and may cause blindness (so-called proliferativediabetic retinopathy ). Damage to nerve cells may cause peripheral neuropathy, and to kidney cells,diabetic nephropathy (Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome ).Related conditions
Macroangiopathy, on the other hand, may cause other complications, such as
ischemic heart disease ,stroke andperipheral vascular disease which contributes to the diabetic foot ulcers and the risk ofamputation .(
Angiopathy is the generic term for a disease of the blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). The best known and most prevalent angiopathy is thediabetic angiopathy , a complication that may occur in chronicdiabetes .There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and
microangiopathy .References
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