[Atherosclerosis: a polidistrectual disease]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Vascular Biology
• Clinical Atherosclerosis Research

Context:

• Atherosclerosis remains a complex systemic disease with unresolved questions regarding its varied clinical manifestations.
• Understanding the reasons behind arterial wall dilatation versus lumen narrowing is crucial.
• Investigating the preferential involvement of specific vascular beds and lesion localization is essential for patient management.

Purpose:

• To review the major clinical implications of unresolved issues in atherosclerosis.
• To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in specific clinical scenarios.
• To provide insights into the management of patients with complex atherosclerotic disease.

Summary:

• This paper addresses key unanswered questions in atherosclerosis, focusing on arterial remodeling and disease distribution.
• It examines the clinical relevance of these uncertainties in three distinct patient scenarios: post-neurological events, vascular interventions, and renal artery stenosis evaluation.
• The review synthesizes current knowledge and highlights areas requiring further investigation.

Impact:

• Improved understanding of atherosclerosis heterogeneity can lead to more personalized patient care.
• This review aids clinicians in managing complex cases involving multiple vascular territories.
• It underscores the need for continued research into the fundamental mechanisms of atherosclerotic disease progression.