Æðameðferð

Æðameðferð refers to the medical treatment of blood vessels. This broad category encompasses a range of procedures and therapies aimed at addressing conditions affecting arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. The specific type of æðameðferð employed depends on the nature and location of the vascular problem.

Common æðameðferð techniques include angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels, often followed by the insertion of a stent to keep the vessel open. Bypass surgery is another significant intervention, where a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is used to create a new pathway around a blocked or damaged artery. Endovascular procedures, which are minimally invasive, are increasingly utilized and involve accessing blood vessels through small incisions, often using catheters.

Conditions treated with æðameðferð include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), aneurysms (bulges in blood vessel walls), deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in deep veins), and peripheral artery disease (narrowing of arteries in the limbs). The goal of æðameðferð is to restore normal blood flow, prevent complications such as stroke or heart attack, and alleviate symptoms like pain or swelling. Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI.