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Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
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Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
10:02

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)

Published on: May 2, 2012

Vulnerable plaque: pathobiology and clinical implications

I J Kullo1, W D Edwards, R S Schwartz

  • 1Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.

Annals of Internal Medicine
|December 29, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, characterized by thin fibrous caps and large lipid cores, often cause acute coronary syndromes. Lipid-lowering therapies may stabilize these plaques, offering a new treatment direction.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pathobiology
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are a primary cause of acute coronary syndromes.
  • These plaques typically exhibit a large lipid core and a thin, inflamed fibrous cap, rather than significant luminal stenosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathobiology and clinical implications of vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
  • To discuss methods for identifying vulnerable plaques and strategies for plaque stabilization.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of English-language articles from 1966 to present.
  • Literature search using terms: atherosclerotic plaque, myocardial revascularization, plaque stabilization.
  • Inclusion of experimental, clinical, and basic research studies.

Main Results:

  • Plaque rupture is the leading cause of acute coronary syndromes, often from non-obstructive plaques.
  • No current method reliably identifies plaques prone to rupture.
  • Lipid-lowering agents demonstrate a plaque-stabilizing effect, reducing coronary events.
  • Revascularization procedures may not address the underlying plaque vulnerability.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding plaque vulnerability is crucial for treating coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Identification and stabilization of vulnerable plaques represent key therapeutic advancements.
  • Comparing aggressive medical therapy for plaque stabilization with revascularization is essential for managing coronary artery disease.