Based on the search results provided, an ischemic change refers to the pathological changes that occur in tissues and cells when they experience a reduction or loss of blood flow and oxygen supply, known as ischemia.
The key ischemic changes described in the search results include:
1. In the white matter of the brain:
– Axonal damage and staining, indicating early injury
– Astrocytic changes like fragmentation and beading of processes (clasmatodendrosis)
– Oligodendrocyte loss
– Microglial activation
2. In the brain more broadly:
– Small strokes (lacunar infarcts)
– White matter lesions appearing as bright spots on MRI (white matter hyperintensities)
– Bleeding from small blood vessels (cerebral microbleeds)
3. Systemic ischemic changes:
– Alterations in the skin, hair, and nails
– Pain in the affected limbs (e.g. in peripheral artery disease)
– Potential for organ damage like intestinal ischemia
The search results indicate that these ischemic changes are a result of reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery, often due to atherosclerosis, blood clots, or other vascular pathologies. The severity of the ischemic changes can range from mild to complete tissue infarction and necrosis, depending on the duration and extent of the ischemic insult.
Recognizing and understanding these ischemic changes is important for diagnosing and managing conditions like stroke, dementia, peripheral artery disease, and other vascular disorders.
Citations
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/microvascular-ischemic-disease
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9452317/
[3] https://www.cun.es/en/diseases-treatments/diseases/chronic-ischemia-syndrome
[4] https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-ischemia
[5] https://www.careinsurance.com/blog/health-insurance-articles/microvascular-ischemic-disease-symptoms-and-treatment
