Description of Medical Condition A peripheral arterial disease can be acute or chronic. There is obstruction or narrowing of the lumen of the aorta and its major branches causing interruption of blood flow, usually to feet and legs. Involved arteries may include mesenteric and celiac arteries. Occlusions cause ischemia, discomfort, skin ulceration and gangrene. System(s) [...]
Description of Medical Condition The common form of arteriosclerosis in which deposits of yellowish plaques (atheromas) containing cholesterol, lipoid material and lipophages are formed within the intima and inner media of large and medium sized arteries. System(s) affected: Cardiovascular Genetics: Probable genetic link; many risk factors for atherosclerosis (lipid metabolism, hypertension, and diabetes) are clearly [...]
The endothelial lining of blood vessels is the one-cell-thick innermost layer and comprises endothelial cells. The endothelium plays an important role in the dynamic regulation of blood pressure. Through hormones, cytokines, and other vasoactive factors, the endothelium communicates to and regulates the function of vascular smooth muscle tone. This is critical to the dynamic equilibrium [...]
