Macroangiopathy 3047016 92529129 2006-12-06T20:19:19Z Dina 35947 typo 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]] or [[clot]] formation impair the flow of oxygen to cells and biological tissues (called [[ischemia]]) and lead to their death (necrosis and 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 nerve cells may cause peripheral neuropathy, and to kidney cells, [[diabetic nephropathy]] ([[Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome]]). Macroangiopathy, on the other hand, may cause other complications, such as [[ischemic heart disease]], [[stroke]] and [[peripheral vascular disease]] which contributes to the diabetic foot ulcers and the risk of [[amputation]]. ([[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 complication that may occur in chronic [[diabetes]]. There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and [[microangiopathy]]. {{medicine-stub}} [[Category:Angiology]]