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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

Vascular disease and inflammation

Dean T Giacobbe1, Michael J Murray

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Anesthesiology Clinics of North America
|June 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is now understood as an inflammatory process, not just lipid deposition. Research highlights inflammatory markers predicting events and successful anti-inflammatory therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic vascular disease was historically viewed as abnormal lipid deposition.
  • Emerging evidence reclassifies it as a dynamic inflammatory process throughout its lifecycle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review basic science research supporting the inflammatory basis of atherosclerosis.
  • To discuss inflammatory markers for predicting clinical events.
  • To highlight pharmacologic successes in anti-inflammatory therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of basic science research.
  • Analysis of epidemiologic data.
  • Discussion of inflammatory markers and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Strong evidence supports inflammation as a central mechanism in atherosclerosis.
  • Specific inflammatory markers are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events.
  • Targeting inflammation has shown pharmacologic success in treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The understanding of atherosclerotic vascular disease has shifted significantly towards an inflammatory paradigm.
  • Inflammation plays a critical role from disease initiation to plaque rupture and thrombosis.
  • Therapies targeting inflammation represent a promising approach for managing atherosclerotic vascular disease.

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