Structure of the Vascular Wall
The walls of arteries, veins, and capillaries share a three-layered structure:
- Tunica intima (inner layer) — lined by endothelium, which protects the middle layer from contact with blood and prevents the initiation of coagulation.
- Tunica media (middle layer) — contains smooth muscle cells, as well as collagen and elastic fibers. It is responsible for the strength, elasticity, and caliber of the vessel.
- Tunica adventitia (outer layer) — composed of connective tissue, provides mechanical protection, and in larger structures contains nutritional vessels known as vasa vasorum.
Primary Effects of Angioprotectors
The pharmacological properties of these drugs are aimed at protecting the vascular bed:
- reduction of wall permeability and resolution of tissue edema;
- normalization of metabolism within the vascular wall and improvement of lymphatic drainage;
- vasodilation and spastolytic activity;
- improvement of microcirculation and blood rheological parameters.
Arterial and Venous Pathology
Vascular pathologies require a comprehensive therapeutic approach. Arteries are prone to atherosclerotic changes, inflammatory processes (e.g., Takayasu arteritis or infective endocarditis), and innervation disorders with persistent vasospasm, which are frequently seen in smokers.
Pathologies developing in the venous system include:
- Thrombophlebitis — inflammation of the venous wall combined with thrombus formation.
- Varicose veins — abnormal dilatation of veins, thinning of their walls, and formation of nodes.
Capillary Pathology and Diabetes Mellitus
Capillaries are affected both in acute infections (capillarotoxicosis during influenza, hemorrhagic fevers) and in chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus occupies a special place, leading to severe diabetic angiopathies:
- involvement of large and small vessels;
- retinopathy and nephropathy;
- high risk of extremity gangrene.