Angiology
All content is checked by medical journalists.Angiology is a branch of internal medicine. It deals with the function, disorders and diseases of the vessels (arteries, veins and lymph vessels). The coronary arteries, which are part of the work of cardiologists, are an exception. Depending on the clinical picture, angiologists often work closely with cardiologists and other specialists (neurologists, nephrologists, vascular surgeons, etc.).
Typical diseases in the field of angiology are:
- stroke
- arteriosclerosis
- Varicose veins
- Thrombosis (vascular blockages due to blood clots that have formed on site)
- Embolism
- peripheral arterial disease (intermittent claudication or smoker's leg)
- Edema
- Diabetic foot syndrome
- Narrowing of the carotid artery (carotid stenosis)
- Aneurysms (abnormal bulges in the vascular wall, for example in the area of the abdominal aorta)
- Narrowing of the renal arteries
- degenerative and inflammatory vascular diseases
Examination methods that are used in angiology are, for example, ultrasound examinations, whereby a distinction is made between various techniques (e.g. vascular Doppler, color duplex).
A particularly important examination in angiology is angiography. This is understood to be the radiological representation of the vessels, for example using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, MRT) or computed tomography (CT). Depending on the vessels examined, angiography is divided into arteriography (representation of the arteries), venography (representation of the veins) and lymphography (representation of the lymph vessels and lymph nodes)
Possible forms of treatment in angiology are, for example:
- Expansion of constrictions in the vessels, often followed by the insertion of a stent
- Medicines that promote blood flow, dilate blood vessels or prevent blood clotting.
- Compression therapy for edema and thrombosis (e.g. wearing support stockings)
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