intravaskulaarset

Intravascular describes something located within the lumen of a blood vessel, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. The term is used in medical contexts to refer to processes, tissues, or interventions that occur inside the vascular system.

Common uses of the term relate to administration and imaging. Intravascular administration involves delivering drugs, fluids, or contrast agents directly into the bloodstream, typically via a venous or arterial access point. This contrasts with extravascular routes such as intramuscular or subcutaneous injections and is essential for rapidly achieving systemic effect or precise imaging requirements.

Diagnostic and therapeutic tools rely on intravascular access. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) deploys a catheter-based ultrasound probe to visualize the inside of vessels, aiding assessment of plaque burden, vessel dimensions, and guidance of interventions like stent placement. Catheter-based procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions and other vascular therapies, depend on intravascular access to reach target sites from within the vessel.

Risks and considerations accompany intravascular procedures. Potential complications include infection, thrombosis, embolism, hematoma at access sites, bleeding, and, with contrast agents, nephrotoxicity. Proper sterile technique, anticoagulation management when indicated, imaging guidance, and patient monitoring are standard components of intravascular practice.

In summary, intravascular refers to activities and structures inside blood vessels, encompassing routes for therapy, diagnostic imaging, and catheter-based interventions that require access to the vascular lumen.