vasospasm

[ vas-oh-spaz-uhm, vey-zoh- ]

noun

1. sudden constriction of an artery, leading to a decrease in its diameter and in the amount of blood it can deliver.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasospasm¹

First recorded in 1900–05; vaso- + spasm

Example Sentences

For example, coronary vasospasm, a condition in which the arteries feeding the heart quite literally spasm and prevent the heart muscle from getting oxygen, often happens early in the morning.

From Washington Post

Watching the reaction to the medications can reveal whether the patient has significant degrees of blood-vessel restriction, or what’s known as vasospasm.

From New York Times

She clearly had severe vasospasm, which was most likely causing the pain and the heart attacks, Bairey Merz told her.

From New York Times

A second paper from Parker's group, published last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that the same integrin-signaling mechanism may contribute to vasospasm, another harmful process associated with TBI.

From Science Magazine

Vasospasm typically results after a blow to the head causes bleeding in the space between the brain and the thin tissues that surround it.

From Science Magazine