Dictionary

angioplasty A procedure in which a balloontipped catheter is used to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery caused by arteriosclerosis. Also known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). See also arteriosclerosis.

angiopathy Disease of the arteries, veins, and capillaries. There are two types of angiopathy: microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. In microangiopathy, the walls of small blood vessels become so thick and weak that they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood. For example, diabetics may develop microangiopathy with thickening of capillaries in many areas, including…

angioneurotic edema, hereditary See angioedema, hereditary.

angiokeratoma corporis diffusum universale See Fabry disease.

angioid streaks Tiny breaks in the elastin-filled tissue in the retina in the back of the eye. Angioid streaks are seen in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a rare disorder of degeneration of the elastic fibers with tiny areas of calcification in the skin, retinae, and blood vessels, and they are visible during an examination using…

angiogram An X-ray image of blood vessels. The vessels can be seen because a contrast dye within them blocks the X-rays from developing an imaging film.

angiogenesis The process of developing new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is critically important during the normal development of the embryo and fetus. It also appears to be important during tumor formation.

angioedema, hereditary A genetic form of angioedema. Persons with it are born lacking the enzyme C1 esterase inhibitor, a protein that normally inhibits the activation of a cascade of proteins. Without this inhibitor protein, angioedema occurs, resulting in recurrent attacks of swollen tissues, pain in the abdomen, and swelling of the voice box (larynx), which…

angioedema A skin condition that resembles hives but affects a deeper skin layer causing localized swellings of soft tissues, such as the tongue or lips. Angioedema can be a sign of an allergic reaction. See also angioedema, hereditary.

angina pectoris See angina.

angina, Vincent See acute membranous gingivitis.

angina, variant See angina, Prinzmetal.