intimal hyperplasia
Pronunciation: IN-ti-mal hy-per-PLAY-zhah
Thickening of the innermost layer of a blood vessel wall, often occurring after vascular intervention.
Full Definition
Intimal hyperplasia is a pathological process characterized by the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima (innermost layer) of blood vessels, resulting in vessel wall thickening and luminal narrowing. This process commonly occurs as a response to vascular injury from procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, or bypass surgery. In vascular imaging, intimal hyperplasia appears as smooth, concentric narrowing and is a leading cause of restenosis following vascular interventions. Understanding this process is essential for interpreting follow-up imaging studies after vascular procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with atherosclerotic plaque; specify the temporal relationship to prior intervention.
In Context
- "Follow-up imaging showed intimal hyperplasia at the anastomotic site." — Vascular surgery follow-up report
- "The patient developed significant intimal hyperplasia six months post-stenting." — Interventional cardiology note