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The prevention and regression of atherosclerotic plaques: emerging treatments

Atul Ashok Kalanuria1, Paul Nyquist, Geoffrey Ling

  • 1Division of Neuro Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.

Vascular Health and Risk Management
|October 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerosis, a major cause of vascular diseases like stroke, begins in childhood. This review covers its pathophysiology and current strategies for preventing and reversing plaque buildup.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Occlusive vascular diseases (sudden coronary syndromes, stroke, peripheral arterial disease) pose a significant global health burden.
  • Atherosclerosis disrupts endothelial function, playing a key role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease pathophysiology.
  • Atherosclerosis development starts in childhood, necessitating early preventive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
  • To discuss current therapeutic options for preventing and reversing atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on atherosclerosis pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of current diagnostic and treatment modalities for atherosclerotic diseases.
  • Examination of preventive strategies targeting early-stage atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • Intravascular ultrasound provides detailed plaque anatomy for outcome assessment.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is a critical factor in atherosclerosis development and progression.
  • Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease with origins in childhood.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding atherosclerosis pathophysiology is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • Current research focuses on early prevention and potential plaque reversal strategies.
  • Integrated approaches are needed to manage the burden of atherosclerotic vascular diseases.

Keywords:
atherosclerotic diseasecardiovascularcoronary artery diseaseendotheliumplaquereversalstroke

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