Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:42
A Fibrin-Enriched and tPA-Sensitive Photothrombotic Stroke Model
Published on: June 4, 2021
Collateral theory and vascular lesion treatment
1Yiling Medical Research Academy of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050035, China. wei_alice_0@163.com
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
|June 10, 2009
Summary
Traditional Chinese Medicine's "Mai" concept aligns with Western vascular anatomy. This research proposes "collateral-vascular system disease" and highlights unblocking collaterals as a treatment principle for vascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Background:
- Explores the correlation between the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) collateral system ('Mai') and the Western medical vascular system.
- Analyzes the concept of 'Mai' as an independent organ with structure, function, and metabolic characteristics.
- Highlights anatomical similarities between TCM and Western medicine regarding the vascular system, with TCM's qi-blood theory enriching its understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose the concept of 'collateral-vascular system disease' based on TCM literature and clinical data.
- To investigate the pathogenesis of this proposed disease using collateral theory.
- To evaluate the therapeutic principle of 'unblocking the collateral' for vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ancient TCM literature on the collateral system.
- Clinical epidemiology survey of 3,469 patients with arteriosclerosis.
- Investigation of pathogenesis based on collateral theory.
- Review of research on Tongxinluo capsules for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.
Main Results:
- Established anatomical congruence between TCM's 'Mai' and the vascular system.
- Proposed 'collateral-vascular system disease' as a framework for understanding vascular pathologies.
- Identified 'unblocking the collateral' as a key treatment principle.
- Demonstrated the efficacy of Tongxinluo capsules and related prescriptions in treating vascular lesions.
Conclusions:
- The TCM collateral system offers a valuable perspective to complement Western vascular medicine.
- The concept of 'collateral-vascular system disease' provides a new approach to understanding and treating vascular conditions.
- TCM's collateral theory and treatments, such as Tongxinluo, show promise in improving the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
01:16Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
01:20Overview of the Vascular System
The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...
01:16Vascular Spasm
The vascular phase, also known as vasospasm, is the initial stage of hemostasis, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. After a vessel is cut, nerves in the damaged area trigger pain and other sensory impulses. Simultaneously, the smooth muscles in the vessel wall contract, resulting in a vascular spasm. This contraction reduces the vessel's diameter at the injury site, slowing or stopping blood loss through the vessel wall. Vascular spasms typically last for...