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Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
06:59

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: June 12, 2019

Morphological analysis of atherosclerotic plaque retrieved by coronary atherectomy

C Depré1, F Ribichini, W Wijns

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Pathology and Cardiology, University of Louvain Medical School, Brussels, Belgium.

Seminars in Interventional Cardiology : SIIC
|March 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Atherectomy catheters allow in vivo analysis of obstructive coronary disease, revealing distinct morphologies and histopathology of stenosis. This aids in understanding restenosis and identifying targets for pharmacological therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Percutaneous revascularization procedures utilize atherectomy catheters for in vivo analysis of obstructive coronary disease.
  • Clinical presentations of coronary artery disease correlate with specific morphological features of stenosis, assessed via angiography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the pathophysiology of obstructive coronary disease in vivo.
  • To investigate the histopathology of coronary stenosis and restenotic lesions.
  • To understand the biological response to endovascular stent implantation.

Main Methods:

  • Atherectomy catheter use in percutaneous revascularization.
  • Angiography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound imaging for stenosis assessment.
  • Analysis of coronary plaque fragments for histopathology.
  • Study of restenotic lesions in native arteries and bypass grafts.
  • Characterization of biological processes like nitric oxide production and protease activity.

Main Results:

  • Distinct morphological aspects of coronary stenosis are linked to clinical presentations.
  • Plaque fragment analysis reveals underlying histopathology.
  • Restenotic lesions in native arteries and bypass conduits have been extensively studied.
  • Endovascular stent implantation triggers inflammation and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • In vivo analysis via atherectomy provides insights into coronary artery disease pathophysiology.
  • Understanding the biological reactions to interventions, including stenting, is crucial.
  • Identifying specific biological processes like nitric oxide production and protease activity can guide future pharmacological therapies for coronary artery disease.

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