Ischaemic
A tissue or organ that does not receive an adequate blood supply. There is always some blood supply, but not enough. If blood supply is completely blocked the tissue/organ is infarcted. Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle is called myocardial ischaemia. Usually caused by conditions gradually narrowing the coronary arteries like e.g. coronary atherosclerosis. Ultimately myocardial ischaemia causes myocardial infarction. Myocardial ischaemia may be treated with PTCA or bypass surgery. Long lasting and complicated PTCA procedures might cause temporary myocardial ischaemia which should not be confused with myocardial ischaemia of other origin.
GE Healthcare Glossary