Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology
Published on: May 6, 2014
Vulnerable plaque and inflammation: potential clinical strategies
Maria Drakopoulou1, Konstantinos Toutouzas, Archontoula Michelongona
1First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Inflammation drives the development and progression of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, a major cause of cardiovascular disease. New diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting inflammation offer hope for reducing cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease remains a leading global cause of mortality despite significant advancements.
- Atherosclerosis involves inflammation at all stages, crucial for vulnerable plaque development and instability.
- Understanding vulnerable plaque pathophysiology is key to developing new interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the inflammatory processes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- To discuss diagnostic modalities for detecting local plaque inflammation.
- To explore therapeutic strategies for stabilizing vulnerable plaques by inhibiting inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on inflammation in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of current and emerging diagnostic imaging techniques for vulnerable plaques.
- Evaluation of therapeutic approaches targeting plaque inflammation.
Main Results:
- Local and systemic inflammation significantly impact plaque progression and destabilization.
- Novel imaging techniques enable early detection of vulnerable plaques.
- Therapeutic strategies including stenting, photodynamic therapy, and pharmaceuticals aim to inhibit inflammation and stabilize plaques.
Conclusions:
- Targeting inflammation is a promising strategy to combat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Early detection of vulnerable plaques through advanced imaging is crucial.
- Inhibiting inflammatory pathways holds potential for reducing cardiovascular events.
Abstract:
Although enormous progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, it still remains the leading cause of death worldwide. During the last decades, advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of vulnerable plaque progression, coupled with novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, created a new opportunity for progress against cardiovascular disease. It has been demonstrated that inflammation, implicated in all stages of atherosclerosis, is an integral part of vulnerable plaque development and progression, leading eventually to plaque instability. Thus, new diagnostic modalities have been proposed for the detection of local plaque inflammation. Moreover, treatments such as stenting, photodynamic therapy, and novel pharmaceutical agents are under consideration as methods to stabilize the vulnerable plaques by inhibiting inflammation. This review provides an overview of the inflammatory process leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and the potential clinical strategies that may substantially decrease the incidence of events. We will mention the major impact of local and systemic inflammation on plaque advancing and destabilization, the imaging techniques for early detection of vulnerable plaques and the potential therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:38Inflammation
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
01:12Chronic Inflammation: Introduction