Distinct pathological mechanisms distinguish acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion from plaque rupture

The current systematic review aims to provide novel insights into the distinct pathological features of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with intact fibrous cap, also known as 'plaque erosion'. A more detailed understanding of its underlying pathomechanisms provides the basis for future personalized therapeutic approaches to ACS.

In the past years, a mounting proportion of evidence point towards the concept of plaque erosion being responsible for more than one-third of all cases of ACS and representing an autonomous ACS-causing entity driven by biomechanical forces, immunological alternations and systemic elevation of inflammatory mediators. First pilot studies proved a therapeutic paradigm shift from primary PCI at the ACS-causing culprit lesion to systemic therapies in patients with ACS caused by plaque erosion.

This review provides the current status of the broad basic and clinical studies focused to the topic of plaque erosion: a new ACS-causing pathophysiology with different pathological aspects providing appropriate implications for personalized therapies in ACS.