Angiopathy

Angiopathy is the generic term for a disease of the blood vessels(arteries, veins, and capillaries). The best known and most prevalent angiopathy is the diabetic angiopathy, a complicationthat may occur in chronicdiabetes.

There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and microangiopathy. In macroangiopathy, fatand bloodclotsbuild up in the large blood vessels, stick to the vessel walls, and block the flow of blood. In microangiopathy, the walls of the smaller blood vessels become so thick and weak that they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood through the body. The decrease of blood flow through stenosisor clot formation impair the flow of oxygento cellsand biological tissues(called ischemia) and lead to their death (necrosisand gangrene, which in turn may require amputation). Thus, tissues which are very sensitive to oxygen levels, such as the retina, develop microangiopathy and may cause blindness(so-called proliferative diabetic retinopathy). Damage to nervecells may cause peripheral neuropathy, and to kidneycells, diabetic nephropathy(Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome).

Macroangiopathy, on the other hand, may cause other complications, such as ischemic heart disease, strokeand peripheral vascular disease which contributes to the diabetic foot ulcersand the risk of amputation.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of adult kidney failure worldwide. It also the most common cause of amputation in the US, usually toes and feet, often as a result of gangrene, and almost always as a result of peripheral vascular disease. Retinal damage (from microangiopathy) makes it the most common cause of blindness among non-elderly adults in the US.

"Diabetic dermopathy" is a manifestation of diabetic angiopathy. It is often found on the shin.

See also

• Congophilic angiopathy

External links

• Skin care guide

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiopathy Wikipedia article Angiopathy.