The word “stenosis” is associated with the narrowing of a vessel or structure. Vascular stenosis is a narrowing of the blood vessels usually caused by a build-up of plaque, a condition called atherosclerosis. The plaque hardens and narrows your arteries, restricting flow of oxygen-rich blood to other parts of the body. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious and potentially fatal conditions, including heart attack and stroke.
Biomechanically, the constriction of the vessel increases the resistance to fluid flow. To attain adequate pressure and flow volume beyond the restriction, the blood pressure must be increased. The restricted blood flow may make a person unable to perform strenuous activities that require higher flow capacity.
There are many ways to treat vascular stenosis, and the treatment depends on the specifics of the condition. One method uses balloon angioplasty to open the blockage. In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the leg, arm, or wrist and routed through the body to the blockage site. Imaging technology is used to view the location of the catheter tip during the process. A guidewire is passed through the same artery just past the blockage location. Next, a balloon-tipped catheter is slipped over the guidewire and positioned at the blockage site. The balloon is inflated, generating forces that open the vessel. A stent is often used to keep the vessel open after inflation. A stent is a stiff wire mesh that holds its shape after being expanded by an angioplasty balloon. Stents are also used to reduce the chance of aneurysms from rupturing in the brain, aorta, or other blood vessels.
The word “stenosis” is also used to describe a narrowing of the space within the spinal canal. This condition causes compression of the spinal cord, limiting its ability to transmit electrical signals. This results in pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness that can worsen over time. Decompression surgery can be used to open the spinal canal and reduce spinal cord compression and its associated symptoms.
