Chapter 85
I Next When a blood vessel gets blocked, people believe it can simply be unblocked. They assume that once the blood starts flowing again, everything will be alright. This is the common perception held by most individuals. Even he himself, before taking relevant courses, somewhat held similar beliefs.
However, that’s not accurate.
Merely opening the blood vessel can potentially exacerbate the situation. It can lead to more serious tissue damage, bursting forth like an explosion.
‘It’s due to reperfusion injury.’
Raciel recollected.
Reperfusion injury is a widespread damage that occurs when blood flow is suddenly restored to a tissue that has been deprived of it for a prolonged period.
‘There’s an excess of calcium in the cells, leading to the breakdown of mitochondria inside them. This results in the generation of large amounts of reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radicals, which trigger inflammation and an excessive accumulation of white blood cells. In short, it systematically dismantles the tissue, layer by layer, in a detailed manner.’
To use a metaphor?
It’s akin to feeding someone who has been fasting for 10 days a meal of 100 portions of chicken. Or having someone who hasn’t consumed alcohol for 10 years drink 100 liters of vodka in one go. Or instructing a patient with severe muscle atrophy, who has been immobile for 10 years, to perform 100-kilogram squats.