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What is Revascularization?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Revascularization is the restoration or improvement of blood supply. A number of techniques can be used to revascularize an organ or area of the body in the wake of injury, disease, or other problems that interrupt the supply of blood. This procedure may be performed by a vascular surgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon in an operating room or clinic fitted for revascularization procedures.
The blood carries oxygen and vital nutrients. When the blood supply is interrupted, it can cause organ and tissue death. Some things that can cause disruptions in the blood supply include gangrene, blockages in blood vessels, and severe injuries. Using Doppler ultrasound and other medical imaging studies, a doctor can identify an area where the blood is not flowing and learn more about why.
One option is to remove a blockage. Medications can be used to break up blood clots and objects such as stents can be inserted to dilate vessels that are shrunken or blocked. This uses the existing vasculature to return blood to the area.
Sometimes, however, vessels are too badly damaged for this to be an option. In these cases, they need to be replaced with grafts. Another way of handling revascularization is to install a bypass, skipping over a damaged or clogged area of a blood vessel to provide a new path for the blood to use.
A patient who is a candidate for revascularization is examined carefully to determine the extent of the damage to the blood supply and the underlying cause. A surgeon may order a number of diagnostic tests in addition to conducting a physical examination on the patient. Patients are also evaluated for risk factors that could rule out certain treatments such as specific drugs or surgical procedures. The goal is to find a safe, effective method to revascularize the area of concern and address the blood supply problem without putting the patient at risk of complications.
Revascularization surgery can take place with local anesthesia and sedation or under general anesthesia, depending on the nature of the case. One example of revascularization surgery is coronary artery bypass surgery, where a graft is used to bypass a blocked or fragile coronary artery in order to treat a failing blood supply. Another form of surgery involving the heart is transmyocardial revascularization, a treatment used for some angina patients that involves creating small channels in the heart with a laser to improve the bloodflow.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
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![Putting a stent inside a blood vessel to keep it open or bypassing a severely damaged vessel are two types of revascularization.]()
By: Balint RaduPutting a stent inside a blood vessel to keep it open or bypassing a severely damaged vessel are two types of revascularization. -
![Certain heart conditions, such as reduced blood flow to certain areas of the body, can be detected with an ultrasound.]()
By: WavebreakMediaMicroCertain heart conditions, such as reduced blood flow to certain areas of the body, can be detected with an ultrasound. -
![Revascularization surgery is often done under general anesthesia.]()
By: uwimagesRevascularization surgery is often done under general anesthesia. -
![Revascularization surgery can take place with local anesthesia and sedation.]()
By: diego cervoRevascularization surgery can take place with local anesthesia and sedation. -
![Transmyocardial revascularization may be used as a treatment for some angina patients.]()
By: dalaprodTransmyocardial revascularization may be used as a treatment for some angina patients. -
![Revascularization may be done under a local anesthetic, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure.]()
By: ollyRevascularization may be done under a local anesthetic, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure. -
![Medical imaging studies can show where blood is not flowing and why.]()
By: Maurizio MilanesioMedical imaging studies can show where blood is not flowing and why.
Discussion Comments
@miriam98 - Myocardial laser revascularization sounds promising. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this procedure. The most important thing from my perspective is that it tends to be more long lasting.
The opened channels stay open for a much longer period of time. I think it’s better than stents because as you point out with stents sometimes the body treats them as foreign objects and tries to expel them through a process of new skin growth.
@miriam98 - On the radio a local hospital keeps advertising a service where they use an ultrasound to check your blood vessels to see if you have a blockage anywhere, or if you could in the future.
I am thinking of having the service performed. I think in this regard prevention is better than the cure. It’s hard to recover from a heart attack and regain a normal life once again.
I’d rather head off the problem to begin with. I live a sedentary life so I think I might be at risk at some point in the future if I don’t make lifestyle changes.
Years ago, my dad suffered from a heart attack or what is medically termed a myocardial infarction.
It was the result of poor diet, I think. We used to eat a lot of fried foods and didn’t exercise much growing up. Thankfully, he survived, but he never made any significant changes to his diet, instead relying on medicine to keep carrying him through.
He has had multiple bypass surgeries, and when that option was exhausted, they put a stent in, which seems to be working. The thing I’ve heard about stents however is that sometimes your skin tissue can grown around the stent and eventually cause it to form a blockage again.
However in his case it seems to be working and of course he is on a cocktail of drugs. I keep trying to get him to change his diet however.
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