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Local anemia due to mechanical obstruction (mainly arterial narrowing or disruption) of the blood supply. [G. ischo, to keep back, + haima, blood]
- myocardial i. inadequate circulation of blood to the myocardium, usually as a result of coronary artery disease. SEE ALSO: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction.
- postural i. the reduced blood pressure and flow induced in a part, e.g., the leg or foot, by raising it above the heart level; used to reduce bleeding during surgical operations on the extremities.
- i. retinae diminished blood supply in the retina due to failure of the arterial circulation; it may occur as a result of arterial embolism or spasm; poisoning, as by quinine; or exsanguination from recurring profuse hemorrhages; bilateral transitory or permanent blindness may result.
- silent i. myocardial i. without accompanying signs or symptoms of angina pectoris; can be detected by ECG and other lab techniques. SEE ALSO: silent myocardial infarction.
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isch·emia or chiefly Brit isch·ae·mia is-'kē-mē-ə n deficient supply of blood to a body part (as the heart or brain) that is due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood (as by the narrowing of arteries by spasm or disease)
isch·emic or chiefly Brit isch·ae·mic -mik adj
isch·emi·cal·ly or chiefly Brit isch·ae·mi·cal·ly -mi-k(ə-)lē adv
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is·che·mia (is-keґme-ə) [isch- + emia] deficiency of blood in a part, usually due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel. ischemic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.