Intimal hyperplasia refers to the abnormal thickening of the tunica intima, the innermost layer of a blood vessel. This process occurs primarily due to the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the accumulation of extracellular matrix components. Over time, this thickening can lead to the narrowing of the blood vessel lumen, potentially resulting in vascular complications such as restenosis or graft failure.
