Pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque development and rupture: an overview

Atherosclerosis is predominantly a clinically silent process, and a substantial percentage of patients are first aware of its consequences through the acute and catastrophic event of thrombosis. Extensive basic and clinical research in the 1990s revealed that plaque disruption initiates the majority of thromboses. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that inflammation plays a major role in the pathophysiology, from initiation of the atheroma to the actual thrombosis itself. Attention has now focused on morphological, mechanical, and biochemical characteristics that increase plaque vulnerability, as determination of these features may allow identification of plaques that are most likely to cause symptoms and acute events in the future. This article reviews basic pathophysiologic aspects of atherosclerotic plaque development and rupture to provide the necessary background for understanding the crucial role of inflammation in acute coronary syndromes.