Occlusion treatments are used in a variety of ways. Uses can be as varied as clearing arterial blockages to those in the retina, to use in audiology to dentistry. Occlusion is used in treating psoriasis, as well. The purpose of occlusion treatments is to open blockages.
Definition of Occlusion
The term 'occlusion' means that something which should be open has become closed off or blocked completely. In other words, an occlusion is a barrier that should not exist. Occlusion treatment, therefore, is designed to open that barrier. Although the uses of occlusion treatment are varied and vast, the most popular uses for occlusion exist in cardiology and ophthalmology. Moreover, these are the two disciplines in which occlusion is used during surgery.
Cardiology
Occlusion treatment is very effective at removing clots in the arteries. Vascular or graft blockage happens due to several factors, including hypertension, diabetes and lifestyle related issues, such as smoking. Whatever the cause, surgery is aimed at both removing the existing occlusion (blockage) and addressing the underlying causes of the blockage. While surgery removes the occlusion, aids are inserted to make sure they do not recur quickly. Stents and arterial grafts are a couple of such aids or implements that are used. Between the removal of the blockage and the placing of the stent, a thrombylotic (coagulating agent) called urokinase has to be administered. This prevents the loss of blood, thus increasing the chances of surgical success.
One important thing to bear in mind when it comes to this kind of surgery is that speed is of the essence. If considerable time elapses between the heart attack and the time of surgery, chances are that irreversible damage may occur.
Ophthalmology
The use of occlusion treatment for the eye has expanded greatly and, as of 2009, doctors believe the development of occlusion treatments has the potential to alter the dynamics of treatment for a condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). CRVO is an occlusion of the retinal vein: the vein becomes blocked.
To perform the occlusion treatment, a corticosteroid medication is injected directly into the area of occlusion in the retina. This seemingly simple treatment has been received with great enthusiasm in the medical community because this treatment has a five times greater chance of long term recovery of eyesight within one year of the treatment than patients who underwent traditional methods of surgery. Anywhere between one and four milligrams of the corticosteroid are injected in patients between one and four times a year, depending on the condition of the CRVO.
Tags: occlusion treatment, between four, occlusion treatments, retinal vein, uses occlusion