Collateralization

In medicine, collateralization, also vessel collaterlization and blood vessel collateralization, is the growth of a blood vessel or several blood vessels that serve the same end organ or vascular bed as another blood vessel that cannot adequately supply that end organ or vascular bed sufficiently.

It is considered a normal response to hypoxia and may be induced, under some circumstances, by exercise. It is considered to be protective.

Coronary collateralization
Coronary collateralization is influenced by diabetes mellitus and occlusion of the LAD and acute MI.

Relation to angiogenesis
Collateraliztion differs from angiogensis in that several blood vessels supply one vascular bed and these vessels are maintained (one does not involute/regress).