Advertisement

Ischemia

Reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissue.

Ischemia is reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissue, usually from a narrowed or blocked artery. It is reversible if perfusion is restored quickly, which is why “time is muscle” in a heart attack and “time is brain” in a stroke — rapid reperfusion limits damage. Prolonged ischemia progresses to irreversible tissue death, or infarction.

Advertisement

Related terms

Back to Physiological Adaptation

Advertisement