Atherosclerosis: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Inflammatory disease involving buildup of lesions in the walls of arteries}} |
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{{DiseaseDisorder infobox | |
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{{distinguish|Arteriosclerosis}} |
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Name = Atherosclerosis | |
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{{For|the journal|Atherosclerosis (journal)}} |
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Image = Endo dysfunction Athero.PNG | |
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{{Infobox medical condition (new) |
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Caption = Changes in endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis (note text comments about geometry error) | |
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| name = Atherosclerosis |
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DiseasesDB = 1039 | |
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| synonyms = Arteriosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) |
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ICD10 = {{ICD10|I|70||i|70}} | |
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| image = Atherosclerosis timeline - endothelial dysfunction.svg |
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ICD9 = {{ICD9|440}} | |
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| caption = The progression of atherosclerosis (narrowing exaggerated) |
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MedlinePlus = 000171 | |
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| field = [[Cardiology]], [[angiology]] |
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eMedicineSubj = med | |
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| symptoms = None<ref name=NIH2016Sym/> |
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eMedicineTopic = 182 | |
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| complications = [[Coronary artery disease]], [[stroke]], [[peripheral artery disease]], [[kidney problems]]<ref name=NIH2016Sym/> |
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{{For having articles about atherosclerosis and platelets in Farsi please have a look at http://www.rezanejat.com/content.asp?ContentId=460 and http://www.rezanejat.com/content.asp?ContentId=461}} |
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| onset = Youth (worsens with age)<ref name=NIH2016Cau/> |
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| duration = |
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| causes = Accumulation of saturated fats, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes |
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| risks = [[High blood pressure]], [[diabetes]], [[smoking]], [[obesity]], family history, unhealthy diet (notably [[trans fat]]), chronic [[Vitamin C]] deficiency<ref>{{Cite web|title= New Concept of Heart Disease Posits Vitamin C Deficiency as Culprit |url= https://www.dicardiology.com/article/new-concept-heart-disease-posits-vitamin-c-deficiency-culprit |access-date=2022-02-06|website=DAIC (Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology) |date= 27 April 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=NIH2016Risk/> |
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| diagnosis = |
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| differential = |
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| prevention = [[Healthy diet]], exercise, not smoking, maintaining a normal weight<ref name=NIH2016Pre/> |
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| treatment = |
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| medication = [[Statin]]s, [[antihypertensive drug|blood pressure medication]], [[aspirin]]<ref name=NIH2016Tx/> |
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| prognosis = |
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| frequency = ≈100% (>65 years old)<ref name=AR2013/> |
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| deaths = |
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}} |
}} |
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<!-- Definition and symptoms --> |
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'''Atherosclerosis''' is a [[disease]] affecting [[artery|arterial]] [[blood vessel]]s. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of [[macrophage]] [[white blood cells]] and promoted by low density (especially small particle) [[lipoproteins]] (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and [[triglycerides]]) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density [[lipoproteins]], (see [[apoA-1 Milano]]). It is commonly referred to as a "hardening" or "furring" of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple [[atheroma|plaques]] within the [[arteries]]. |
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'''Atherosclerosis'''{{efn|Also '''arteriosclerotic vascular disease''' ('''ASVD''')}} is a pattern of the disease [[arteriosclerosis]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis - Symptoms and causes|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en}}</ref> characterized by development of abnormalities called [[lesion]]s in walls of [[arteries]]. This is a chronic inflammatory disease involving many different cell types and driven by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.<ref name=cas>{{Cite journal |last1=Scipione |first1=Corey A. |last2=Hyduk |first2=Sharon J. |last3=Polenz |first3=Chanele K. |last4=Cybulsky |first4=Myron I. |date=December 2023 |title=Unveiling the Hidden Landscape of Arterial Diseases at Single-Cell Resolution |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0828282X2301663X |journal=Canadian Journal of Cardiology |language=en |volume=39 |issue=12 |pages=1781–1794 |doi=10.1016/j.cjca.2023.09.009|pmid=37716639 }}</ref> These lesions may lead to narrowing of the arterial walls due to buildup of [[atheromatous plaque]]s.<ref name=NIH2016Def>{{cite web|title=What Is Atherosclerosis? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tsukahara |first1=Tamotsu |last2=Tsukahara |first2=Ryoko |last3=Haniu |first3=Hisao |last4=Matsuda |first4=Yoshikazu |last5=Murakami-Murofushi |first5=Kimiko |date=2015-09-05 |title=Cyclic phosphatidic acid inhibits the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor from diabetic human coronary artery endothelial cells through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma |journal=Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology |language=en |volume=412 |pages=320–329 |doi=10.1016/j.mce.2015.05.021 |pmid=26007326 |hdl=10069/35888 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> At the onset there are usually no symptoms, but if they develop, symptoms generally begin around middle age.<ref name=NIH2016Sym>{{cite web|title=What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/signs|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=5 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref> In severe cases, it can result in [[coronary artery disease]], [[stroke]], [[peripheral artery disease]], or [[kidney disorder]]s, depending on which body part(s) the affected arteries are located in the body.<ref name=NIH2016Sym/> |
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<!-- Cause and diagnosis --> |
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The '''[[atheroma|atheromatous plaque]]''' is divided into three distinct components: |
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The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown and is proposed to be multifactorial.<ref name=NIH2016Sym/> Risk factors include [[dyslipidemia|abnormal cholesterol levels]], elevated levels of [[inflammatory biomarker]]s,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lind L | title = Circulating markers of inflammation and atherosclerosis | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 169 | issue = 2 | pages = 203–214 | date = August 2003 | pmid = 12921971 | doi = 10.1016/s0021-9150(03)00012-1 }}</ref> [[high blood pressure]], [[diabetes]], [[smoking]] (both active and [[passive smoking]]), [[obesity]], genetic factors, family history, lifestyle habits, and an unhealthy diet.<ref name=NIH2016Risk>{{cite web | title = Who Is at Risk for Atherosclerosis? | url = https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/atrisk |website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=5 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016 }}</ref> [[Atheroma|Plaque]] is made up of fat, [[cholesterol]], immune cells, [[calcium]], and other substances found in the [[blood]].<ref name=NIH2016Def/><ref name="cas"/> The narrowing of [[arteries]] limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body.<ref name=NIH2016Def/> Diagnosis is based upon a physical exam, [[electrocardiogram]], and [[exercise stress test]], among others.<ref name=NIH2016Diag>{{cite web|title=How Is Atherosclerosis Diagnosed? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/diagnosis|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref> |
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# The ''[[atheroma]]'' ("lump of porridge", from ''Athera'', [[porridge]] in Greek,), which is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques, composed of [[macrophage]]s nearest the [[lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] of the artery |
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# Underlying areas of [[cholesterol]] crystals |
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# Calcification at the outer base of older/more advanced lesions. |
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<!-- Prevention and treatment --> |
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The following terms are similar, yet distinct, in both spelling and meaning, and can be easily confused: arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. '''Arteriosclerosis''' is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries (from the Greek '''Arterio''', meaning ''artery'', and '''sclerosis''', meaning ''hardening''), '''arteriolosclerosis''' is any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of [[arteriole]]s (small arteries), '''atherosclerosis''' is a hardening of an artery specifically due to an atheromatous plaque. Therefore, atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis. |
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Prevention guidelines include eating a [[healthy diet]], exercising, not smoking, and maintaining normal body weight.<ref name=NIH2016Pre>{{cite web|title=How Can Atherosclerosis Be Prevented or Delayed? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/prevention|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref> Treatment of established atherosclerotic disease may include medications to lower [[cholesterol]] such as [[statin]]s, [[blood pressure medication]], and anticoagulant therapies to reduce the risk of blood clot formation.<ref name=NIH2016Tx/> As the disease state progresses more invasive strategies are applied such as [[percutaneous coronary intervention]], [[coronary artery bypass graft]], or [[carotid endarterectomy]].<ref name=NIH2016Tx>{{cite web|title=How Is Atherosclerosis Treated? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/treatment|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref> Genetic factors are also strongly implicated in the disease process; it is unlikely to be entirely based on lifestyle choices.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Information (US) |first1=National Center for Biotechnology |title=Genes and Disease [Internet] |date=1998 |publisher=National Center for Biotechnology Information (US) |chapter-url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22171/ |chapter=Atherosclerosis }}</ref> |
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<!-- Epidemiology --> |
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Atherosclerosis causes two main problems. First, the [[atheroma|atheromatous plaques]], though long compensated for by artery enlargement, see [[intima-media thickness|IMT]], eventually lead to plaque ruptures and ''[[stenosis]]'' (narrowing) of the artery and, therefore, an insufficient blood supply to the organ it feeds. If the compensating artery enlargement process is excessive, then a net [[aneurysm]] results. |
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Atherosclerosis generally starts when a person is young and worsens with age. Females are 78% at higher risk level than men<ref name=NIH2016Cau>{{cite web|title=What Causes Atherosclerosis? - NHLBI, NIH|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/causes|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=6 November 2017|language=en|date=22 June 2016}}</ref> Almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65.<ref name=AR2013>{{cite book| vauthors = Aronow WS, Fleg JL, Rich MW |title=Tresch and Aronow's Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly, Fifth Edition|date=2013|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-84214-544-9 |pages=171|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OrbNBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA171|language=en}}</ref> It is the number one [[cause of death]] and [[disability]] in [[developed countries]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Roth GA, Mensah GA, Johnson CO, Addolorato G, Ammirati E, Baddour LM, Barengo NC, Beaton AZ, Benjamin EJ, Benziger CP, Bonny A, Brauer M, Brodmann M, Cahill TJ, Carapetis J, Catapano AL, Chugh SS, Cooper LT, Coresh J, Criqui M, DeCleene N, Eagle KA, Emmons-Bell S, Feigin VL, Fernández-Solà J, Fowkes G, Gakidou E, Grundy SM, He FJ, Howard G, Hu F, Inker L, Karthikeyan G, Kassebaum N, Koroshetz W, Lavie C, Lloyd-Jones D, Lu HS, Mirijello A, Temesgen AM, Mokdad A, Moran AE, Muntner P, Narula J, Neal B, Ntsekhe M, Moraes de Oliveira G, Otto C, Owolabi M, Pratt M, Rajagopalan S, Reitsma M, Ribeiro AL, Rigotti N, Rodgers A, Sable C, Shakil S, Sliwa-Hahnle K, Stark B, Sundström J, Timpel P, Tleyjeh IM, Valgimigli M, Vos T, Whelton PK, Yacoub M, Zuhlke L, Murray C, Fuster V | display-authors = 6 | title = Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors, 1990-2019: Update From the GBD 2019 Study | journal = Journal of the American College of Cardiology | volume = 76 | issue = 25 | pages = 2982–3021 | date = December 2020 | pmid = 33309175 | pmc = 7755038 | doi = 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.11.010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Song P, Fang Z, Wang H, Cai Y, Rahimi K, Zhu Y, Fowkes FG, Fowkes FJ, Rudan I | display-authors = 6 | title = Global and regional prevalence, burden, and risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and modelling study | language = English | journal = The Lancet. Global Health | volume = 8 | issue = 5 | pages = e721–e729 | date = May 2020 | pmid = 32353319 | doi = 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30117-0 | doi-access = free | hdl = 10044/1/78967 | hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Topol EJ, Califf RM |title=Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine|date=2007|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-0-7817-7012-5 |pages=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35zSLWyEWbcC&pg=PA2|language=en}}</ref> Though it was first described in 1575,<ref name="Al2008">{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-1-84628-810-4 |title=Chlamydia Atherosclerosis Lesion |date=2007 |isbn=978-1-84628-809-8 |first1=Allan |last1=Shor |page=8 }}</ref> there is evidence suggesting that this disease state is genetically inherent in the broader human population, with its origins tracing back to genetic mutations that may have occurred more than two million years ago during the evolution of hominin ancestors of modern human beings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Evolutionary gene loss may help explain why only humans are prone to heart attacks |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190723182255.htm |work=ScienceDaily |publisher=University of California - San Diego |date=23 July 2019 }}</ref> |
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{{TOC limit|3}} |
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==Signs and symptoms== |
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These complications are chronic, slowly progressing and cumulative. Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ''ruptures'' (see [[vulnerable plaque]]), causing the formation of a [[thrombus]] that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to death of the tissues fed by the artery in approximately 5 minutes. This catastrophic event is called an ''[[infarction]]''. One of the most common recognized scenarios is called [[coronary thrombosis]] of a [[coronary artery]], causing [[myocardial infarction]] (a heart attack). Another common scenario in very advanced disease is ''[[claudication]]'' from insufficient blood supply to the legs, typically due to a combination of both stenosis and aneurysmal segments narrowed with [[thrombus|clots]]. Since atherosclerosis is a body-wide process, similar events occur also in the arteries to the brain, intestines, kidneys, legs, etc. |
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Atherosclerosis is typically [[asymptomatic]] for decades because the arteries enlarge at all plaque locations, thus there is no effect on blood flow.<ref name="Ross1993">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ross R | title = The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: a perspective for the 1990s | journal = Nature | volume = 362 | issue = 6423 | pages = 801–9 | date = April 1993 | pmid = 8479518 | doi = 10.1038/362801a0 | bibcode = 1993Natur.362..801R }}</ref> Even most [[vulnerable plaque|plaque ruptures]] do not produce symptoms until enough narrowing or closure of an artery, due to [[Thrombus|clots]], occurs. Signs and symptoms only occur after severe narrowing or closure impedes blood flow to different organs enough to induce symptoms.<ref>Atherosclerosis. Harvard Health Publications Harvard Health Publications. Health Topics A – Z, (2011)</ref> Most of the time, patients realize that they have the disease only when they experience other [[cardiovascular disease|cardiovascular disorders]] such as [[stroke]] or [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]]. These symptoms, however, still vary depending on which artery or organ is affected.<ref name="nhlbi.nih.gov">{{cite web | title = Atherosclerosis | publisher = National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute | url = http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/signs.html | year = 2011 }}</ref> |
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==Causes== |
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Atherosclerosis develops from low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), colloquially called "bad cholesterol". When this lipoprotein gets through the wall of an artery, oxygen free-radicals react with it to form oxidised-LDL. The body's immune system responds by sending specialised white blood cells ([[macrophages]] and [[T-lymphocytes]]) to absorb the oxidised-LDL. Unfortunately, these white blood cells are not able to process the oxidised-LDL, and ultimately grow then rupture, depositing a greater amount of oxidised cholesterol into the artery wall. This triggers more white blood cells, continuing the cycle. |
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Early atherosclerotic processes likely begin in childhood. Fibrous and gelatinous lesions have been observed in the [[coronary arteries]] of children.<ref name="Velican & Velican 1979">{{cite journal | vauthors = Velican D, Velican C | title = Study of fibrous plaques occurring in the coronary arteries of children | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 33 | issue = 2 | pages = 201–205 | date = June 1979 | pmid = 475879 | doi = 10.1016/0021-9150(79)90117-5 }}</ref> [[Fatty streak]]s have been observed in the coronary arteries of juveniles.<ref name="Velican & Velican 1979" /> While [[coronary artery disease]] is more prevalent in men than women, atherosclerosis of the [[cerebral arteries]] and strokes equally affect both sexes.<ref name="pmid5697685">{{cite journal | vauthors = Flora GC, Baker AB, Loewenson RB, Klassen AC | title = A comparative study of cerebral atherosclerosis in males and females | journal = Circulation | volume = 38 | issue = 5 | pages = 859–69 | date = November 1968 | pmid = 5697685 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.38.5.859| doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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Eventually, the artery becomes inflamed. The cholesterol plaque causes the muscle cells to enlarge and form a hard cover over the affected area. This hard cover is what causes a narrowing of the artery, reduce the blood flow and increase blood pressure. |
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[[Stenosis|Marked narrowing]] in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain of [[angina]] and shortness of breath, sweating, [[nausea]], dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or [[palpitations]].<ref name="nhlbi.nih.gov"/> Abnormal heart rhythms called [[arrhythmia]]s—the heart beating either too slowly or too quickly—are another consequence of [[ischemia]].<ref name="heartandstroke.com">Arrhythmia. Heart and Stroke Foundation. {{cite web |url=http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484057/ |title=Heart disease - Arrhythmia - Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada |access-date=2014-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203120532/http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484057/ |archive-date=2014-02-03 }} (2011)</ref> |
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==Symptoms== |
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[[Common carotid artery|Carotid arteries]] supply blood to the brain and neck.<ref name="heartandstroke.com"/> Marked narrowing of the carotid arteries can present with symptoms such as a feeling of weakness; being unable to think straight; difficulty speaking; dizziness; difficulty in walking or standing up straight; blurred vision; numbness of the face, arms and legs; severe headache; and loss of consciousness. These symptoms are also related to stroke (death of brain cells). Stroke is caused by marked narrowing or closure of arteries going to the brain; lack of adequate blood supply leads to the death of the cells of the affected tissue.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sims |first1=Neil R. |last2=Muyderman |first2=Hakan |title=Mitochondria, oxidative metabolism and cell death in stroke |journal=Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease |date=January 2010 |volume=1802 |issue=1 |pages=80–91 |doi=10.1016/j.bbadis.2009.09.003 |pmid=19751827 }}</ref> |
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Atherosclerosis typically begins in early adolescence, and is usually found in most major [[artery|arteries]], yet is asymptomatic and not detected by most diagnostic methods during life. Autopsies of healthy young men that died during the Korean and Vietnam Wars showed evidence of the disease.<ref name="pmid11390341">{{cite journal |author=Tuzcu EM, Kapadia SR, Tutar E, ''et al'' |title=High prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic teenagers and young adults: evidence from intravascular ultrasound |journal=Circulation |volume=103 |issue=22 |pages=2705–10 |year=2001 |
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|url=http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/103/22/2705 |
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|pmid=11390341 |doi= |accessdate=2007-11-02}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_attack_pathology_photo_essay/page2.htm |
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|title=Heart Attack Photo Illustration Essay on MedicineNet.com |
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|accessdate=2007-11-02 |
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|author=Michael C. Fishbein, M.D. |
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|editor= Leslie J. Schoenfield |
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}}</ref> It most commonly becomes seriously symptomatic when interfering with the [[coronary circulation]] supplying the [[heart]] or [[cerebral circulation]] supplying the [[brain]], and is considered the most important underlying cause of [[Cerebrovascular accident|strokes]], [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]s, various [[heart disease]]s including [[congestive heart failure]], and most [[cardiovascular disease]]s, in general. Atheroma in arm, or, more often, leg arteries, and producing decreased blood flow, is called [[Peripheral artery occlusive disease]] (PAOD). |
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[[Peripheral vascular system|Peripheral arteries]], which supply blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis, also experience marked narrowing due to plaque rupture and clots. Symptoms of the narrowing are pain and numbness within the arms or legs. Another significant location for plaque formation is the [[renal artery|renal arteries]], which supply blood to the kidneys. Plaque occurrence and accumulation lead to decreased kidney blood flow and [[chronic kidney disease]], which, like in all other areas, is typically asymptomatic until late stages.<ref name="nhlbi.nih.gov"/> |
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According to United States data for the year 2004, for about 65% of men and 47% of women, the first [[symptom]] of atherosclerotic [[cardiovascular disease]] is [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] or [[sudden cardiac death]] (death within one hour of onset of the symptom). |
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In 2004, US data indicated that in ~66% of men and ~47% of women, the first symptom of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] or [[sudden cardiac death]] (defined as death within one hour of onset of the symptom).<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_51 |chapter=Atherosclerotic Burden and Mortality |title=Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures |date=2010 |last1=Roquer |first1=J. |last2=Ois |first2=Angel |pages=899–918 |isbn=978-0-387-78664-3 }}</ref> |
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Most artery flow disrupting events occur at locations with less than 50% [[lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] narrowing (~20% [[stenosis]] is average. [The reader might reflect that the illustration above, like most illustrations of arterial disease, overemphasizes lumen narrowing, as opposed to compensatory external diameter enlargement (at least within smaller arteries, e.g., heart arteries) typical of the atherosclerosis process as it progresses, see Glagov<ref name=Glagov/> and the ASTEROID trial,<ref name=Nissen /> the [[IVUS]] photographs on page 8, as examples for a more accurate understanding. The relative geometry error within the illustration is common to many older illustrations, an error slowly being more commonly recognized within the last decade.] |
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Case studies have included [[Autopsy|autopsies]] of U.S. soldiers killed in [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]]. A much-cited report involved the autopsies of 300 U.S. soldiers killed in Korea. Although the average age of the men was 22.1 years, 77.3 percent had "gross evidence of coronary arteriosclerosis".<ref name=Enos>{{cite journal |vauthors=Enos WF, Holmes RH, Beyer J |title= Coronary disease among United States soldiers killed in action in Korea: Preliminary Report |journal= JAMA |volume=152 |issue=12 |pages= 1090–93 |year=1953 |doi=10.1001/jama.1953.03690120006002 |pmid= 13052433 }} The average age was calculated from the ages of 200 of the soldiers. No age was recorded in nearly 100 of the men.</ref> |
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[[Cardiac stress test]]ing, traditionally the most commonly performed non-invasive testing method for blood flow limitations, in general, detects only [[lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] narrowing of ~75% or greater, although some physicians claim that nuclear stress methods can detect as little as 50%. |
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==Risk factors== |
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==Atherogenesis==<!-- This section is linked [[Antioxidant]] --> |
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{{See also|Lipoprotein|Lipoprotein (a)}} |
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''Atherogenesis'' is the developmental process of atheromatous plaques. It is characterized by a remodeling of [[artery|arteries]] involving the concomitant accumulation of fatty substances called plaques. One recent theory suggests that, for unknown reasons, [[leukocytes]], such as [[monocytes]] or [[basophils]], begin to attack the [[endothelium]] of the artery lumen in cardiac muscle. The ensuing [[inflammation]] leads to formation of ''atheromatous plaques'' in the arterial [[tunica intima]], a region of the vessel wall located between the [[endothelium]] and the [[tunica media]] and [[tunica adventitia]]. The bulk of these lesions is made of excess fat, [[collagen]], and [[elastin]]. At first, as the plaques grow, only [[intima-media thickness|wall thickening]] occurs without any narrowing, stenosis of the artery opening, called the lumen; [[stenosis]] is a late event, which may never occur and is often the result of repeated plaque rupture and healing responses, not just the atherosclerosis process by itself. |
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[[File:Blausen 0227 Cholesterol.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Atherosclerosis and lipoproteins]] |
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The atherosclerotic process is not well understood.{{update inline|date=November 2024}} Atherosclerosis is associated with inflammatory processes in the [[Endothelium|endothelial cells]] of the vessel wall associated with retained [[low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) particles.<ref name="li-2016">{{cite journal | vauthors = Li X, Fang P, Li Y, Kuo YM, Andrews AJ, Nanayakkara G, Johnson C, Fu H, Shan H, Du F, Hoffman NE, Yu D, Eguchi S, Madesh M, Koch WJ, Sun J, Jiang X, Wang H, Yang X | title = Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Endothelial Cell Activation | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 36 | issue = 6 | pages = 1090–100 | date = June 2016 | pmid = 27127201 | pmc = 4882253 | doi = 10.1161/ATVBAHA.115.306964 }}</ref><ref name="botts-2021">{{cite journal | vauthors = Botts SR, Fish JE, Howe KL | title = Dysfunctional Vascular Endothelium as a Driver of Atherosclerosis: Emerging Insights Into Pathogenesis and Treatment | journal = Frontiers in Pharmacology | volume = 12 | pages = 787541 | date = December 2021 | pmid = 35002720 | pmc = 8727904 | doi = 10.3389/fphar.2021.787541 | doi-access = free }}</ref> This retention may be a cause, an effect, or both, of the underlying inflammatory process.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Williams KJ, Tabas I | title = The response-to-retention hypothesis of early atherogenesis | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 15 | issue = 5 | pages = 551–61 | date = May 1995 | pmid = 7749869 | pmc = 2924812 | doi = 10.1161/01.ATV.15.5.551 }}</ref> |
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===Cellular=== |
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The first step of atherogenesis is the development of [[fatty streak]]s, which are small subendothelial deposits of oxidized cholesterol and monocyte-derived macrophages. The exact cause for this process is unknown, and fatty streaks may appear and disappear. |
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The presence of the plaque induces the [[Myocyte|muscle cells]] of the blood vessel to stretch, compensating for the additional bulk. The endothelial lining then thickens, increasing the separation between the plaque and lumen. The thickening somewhat offsets the narrowing caused by the growth of the plaque, but moreover, it causes the wall to stiffen and become less compliant to stretching with each heartbeat.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Aviram M, Fuhrman B | title = LDL oxidation by arterial wall macrophages depends on the oxidative status in the lipoprotein and in the cells: role of prooxidants vs. antioxidants | journal = Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry | volume = 188 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 149–59 | date = November 1998 | pmid = 9823020 | doi = 10.1023/A:1006841011201 }}</ref> |
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LDL in blood plasma poses a risk for [[cardiovascular disease]] when it invades the [[endothelium]] and becomes [[oxidize]]d. A complex set of biochemical reactions regulates the oxidation of LDL, chiefly stimulated by presence of [[free radical]]s in the [[endothelium]] or blood vessel lining. |
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=== Modifiable === |
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The initial damage to the blood vessel wall results in a "call for help," an inflammatory response. [[Monocyte|Monocytes]] (a type of [[white blood cell]]) enter the artery wall from the bloodstream, with platelets adhering to the area of insult. This may be promoted by [[redox signaling]] induction of factors such as [[VCAM-1]], which recruit circulating monocytes. The [[monocyte]]s differentiate into [[macrophage]]s, which ingest [[oxidize]]d [[LDL]], slowly turning into large "foam cells" – so-described because of their changed appearance resulting from the numerous internal cytoplasmic [[vesicle (biology)|vesicle]]s and resulting high [[lipid]] content. Under the microscope, the lesion now appears as a fatty streak. Foam cells eventually die, and further propagate the inflammatory process. |
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* [[Western pattern diet]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis/atrisk|title = Atherosclerosis | NHLBI, NIH| date=24 March 2022 }}</ref> |
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There is also smooth muscle proliferation and migration from tunica media to intima responding to cytokines secreted by damaged endothelial cells. This would cause the formation of a fibrous capsule covering the fatty streak. |
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* [[Abdominal obesity]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Insulin resistance]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Diabetes]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Dyslipidemia]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Hypertension]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Trans fat]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Tobacco smoking]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Bacterial infections]]<ref name="pmid26004263">{{cite journal | vauthors = Campbell LA, Rosenfeld ME | title = Infection and Atherosclerosis Development | journal = Arch Med Res | volume = 46 | issue = 5 | pages = 339–50 | date = July 2015 | pmid = 26004263 | pmc = 4524506 | doi = 10.1016/j.arcmed.2015.05.006 }}</ref> |
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* [[HIV/AIDS]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sinha A, Feinstein MJ | title = Coronary Artery Disease Manifestations in HIV: What, How, and Why | journal = The Canadian Journal of Cardiology | volume = 35 | issue = 3 | pages = 270–279 | date = March 2019 | pmid = 30825949 | doi = 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.11.029 | pmc = 9532012 }}</ref> |
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=== Nonmodifiable === |
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===Calcification and lipids=== |
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* [[South Asian]] descent<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Enas EA, Kuruvila A, Khanna P, Pitchumoni CS, Mohan V | title = Benefits & risks of statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in Asian Indians - a population with the highest risk of premature coronary artery disease & diabetes | journal = The Indian Journal of Medical Research | volume = 138 | issue = 4 | pages = 461–91 | date = October 2013 | pmid = 24434254 | pmc = 3868060 }}</ref><ref name="Indian Heart">Indian Heart Association Why South Asians Facts Web. 30 April 2015. http://indianheartassociation.org/why-indians-why-south-asians/overview/</ref> |
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Intracellular [[calcification|microcalcifications]] form within [[vascular smooth muscle]] cells of the surrounding muscular layer, specifically in the muscle cells adjacent to the atheromas. In time, as cells die, this leads to extracellular calcium deposits between the muscular wall and outer portion of the atheromatous plaques. |
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* [[Senescence|Advanced age]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Tyrrell DJ, Blin MB, Song J, Wood SC, Zhang M, Beard DA, Goldstein DR | title = Age-Associated Mitochondrial Dysfunction Accelerates Atherogenesis | journal = Circulation Research | volume = 126 | issue = 3 | pages = 298–314 | date = January 2020 | pmid = 31818196 | pmc = 7006722 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.119.315644 }}</ref> |
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* [[Chromosome abnormality|Genetic abnormalities]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* Family history<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* Coronary anatomy and branch pattern<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Velican C, Velican D | title = Differences in the pattern of atherosclerotic involvement between non-branched regions and adjacent branching points of human coronary arteries | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 54 | issue = 3 | pages = 333–342 | date = March 1985 | pmid = 3994786 | doi = 10.1016/0021-9150(85)90126-1 }}</ref> |
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=== Lesser or uncertain === |
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Cholesterol is delivered into the vessel wall by cholesterol-containing [[low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) particles. To attract and stimulate macrophages, the cholesterol must be released from the LDL particles and oxidized, a key step in the ongoing inflammatory process. The process is worsened if there is insufficient [[high-density lipoprotein]] (HDL), the lipoprotein particle that removes cholesterol from tissues and carries it back to the liver. |
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* [[Thrombophilia]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Borissoff JI, Spronk HM, Heeneman S, ten Cate H | title = Is thrombin a key player in the 'coagulation-atherogenesis' maze? | journal = Cardiovascular Research | volume = 82 | issue = 3 | pages = 392–403 | date = June 2009 | pmid = 19228706 | doi = 10.1093/cvr/cvp066 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Borissoff JI, Heeneman S, Kilinç E, Kassák P, Van Oerle R, Winckers K, Govers-Riemslag JW, Hamulyák K, Hackeng TM, Daemen MJ, ten Cate H, Spronk HM | title = Early atherosclerosis exhibits an enhanced procoagulant state | journal = Circulation | volume = 122 | issue = 8 | pages = 821–30 | date = August 2010 | pmid = 20697022 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.907121 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Borissoff JI, Spronk HM, ten Cate H | title = The hemostatic system as a modulator of atherosclerosis | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 364 | issue = 18 | pages = 1746–60 | date = May 2011 | pmid = 21542745 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMra1011670 }}</ref> |
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* [[Saturated fat]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/><ref>{{Cite book|last = Food and nutrition board, institute of medicine of the national academies | title = Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients) | publisher = National Academies Press | year = 2005 | pages = 481–484 | doi = 10.17226/10490 | isbn = 978-0-309-08525-0 | url = http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10490&pages=481}}</ref> |
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* Excessive [[carbohydrate]]s<ref name=nhlbi.nih/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mozaffarian D, Rimm EB, Herrington DM | title = Dietary fats, carbohydrate, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 80 | issue = 5 | pages = 1175–84 | date = November 2004 | pmid = 15531663 | pmc = 1270002 | doi = 10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1175 }}</ref> |
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* Elevated [[triglycerides]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Systemic inflammation]]<ref name=Bhatt>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bhatt DL, Topol EJ | title = Need to test the arterial inflammation hypothesis | journal = Circulation | volume = 106 | issue = 1 | pages = 136–40 | date = July 2002 | pmid = 12093783 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.0000021112.29409.A2 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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* [[Hyperinsulinemia]]<ref name=Hyperinsulinaemia>{{cite journal | vauthors = Griffin M, Frazer A, Johnson A, Collins P, Owens D, Tomkin GH | title = Cellular cholesterol synthesis--the relationship to post-prandial glucose and insulin following weight loss | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 138 | issue = 2 | pages = 313–8 | date = June 1998 | pmid = 9690914 | doi = 10.1016/S0021-9150(98)00036-7 }}</ref> |
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* [[Sleep deprivation]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = King CR, Knutson KL, Rathouz PJ, Sidney S, Liu K, Lauderdale DS | title = Short sleep duration and incident coronary artery calcification | journal = JAMA | volume = 300 | issue = 24 | pages = 2859–66 | date = December 2008 | pmid = 19109114 | pmc = 2661105 | doi = 10.1001/jama.2008.867 }}</ref> |
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* [[Air pollution]]<ref name="Provost2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Provost EB, Madhloum N, Int Panis L, De Boever P, Nawrot TS | title = Carotid intima-media thickness, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, and particulate air pollution exposure: the meta-analytical evidence | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 10 | issue = 5 | pages = e0127014 | date = 2015 | pmid = 25970426 | pmc = 4430520 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0127014 | bibcode = 2015PLoSO..1027014P | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name=PLoSMed42313>{{cite journal | vauthors = Adar SD, Sheppard L, Vedal S, Polak JF, Sampson PD, Diez Roux AV, Budoff M, Jacobs DR, Barr RG, Watson K, Kaufman JD | title = Fine particulate air pollution and the progression of carotid intima-medial thickness: a prospective cohort study from the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis and air pollution | journal = PLOS Medicine | volume = 10 | issue = 4 | pages = e1001430 | date = April 23, 2013 | pmid = 23637576 | pmc = 3637008 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001430 | quote = This early analysis from MESA suggests that higher long-term PM2.5 concentrations are associated with increased IMT progression and that greater reductions in PM2.5 are related to slower IMT progression. | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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* [[Sedentary lifestyle]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Arsenic poisoning]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang CH, Jeng JS, Yip PK, Chen CL, Hsu LI, Hsueh YM, Chiou HY, Wu MM, Chen CJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Biological gradient between long-term arsenic exposure and carotid atherosclerosis | journal = Circulation | volume = 105 | issue = 15 | pages = 1804–1809 | date = April 2002 | pmid = 11956123 | doi = 10.1161/01.cir.0000015862.64816.b2 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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* [[Alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/>{{failed verification|date=July 2023}} |
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* [[Chronic stress]]<ref name=nhlbi.nih/> |
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* [[Hypothyroidism]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sadovsky |first1=Richard |title=Treating Hypothyroidism Reduces Atherosclerosis Risk |journal=American Family Physician |volume=69 |issue=3 |date=February 2004 |pages=656–657 |id={{ProQuest|234284553}} |url=https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0201/p656.html }}</ref> |
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* [[Periodontal disease]]<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bale BF, Doneen AL, Vigerust DJ | title = High-risk periodontal pathogens contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis | journal = Postgraduate Medical Journal | volume = 93 | issue = 1098 | pages = 215–220 | date = April 2017 | pmid = 27899684 | pmc = 5520251 | doi = 10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134279 }}</ref> |
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=== Dietary === |
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The foam cells and platelets encourage the migration and proliferation of [[smooth muscle]] cells, which in turn ingest lipids, become replaced by collagen and transform into foam cells themselves. A protective fibrous cap normally forms between the fatty deposits and the artery lining (the [[endothelium|intima]]). |
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The relation between dietary fat and atherosclerosis is controversial. The [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]], in its [[food guide pyramid|food pyramid]], promotes a diet of about 64% [[carbohydrate]]s from total calories. The [[American Heart Association]], the [[American Diabetes Association]], and the [[National Cholesterol Education Program]] make similar recommendations. In contrast, Prof [[Walter Willett]] (Harvard School of Public Health, [[Principal investigator|PI]] of the second [[Nurses' Health Study]]) recommends much higher levels of fat, especially of [[Monounsaturated fat|monounsaturated]] and [[polyunsaturated fat]].<ref name="titleFood Pyramids: Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health">{{cite web|url=http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html |title=Food Pyramids: Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health |access-date=2007-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226085222/http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html |archive-date=26 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These dietary recommendations reach a consensus, though, against consumption of [[trans fat]]s.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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The role of eating oxidized fats ([[rancidification|rancid fats]]) in humans is not clear. |
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These capped fatty deposits (now called ''atheromas'') produce enzymes that cause the artery to enlarge over time. As long as the artery enlarges sufficiently to compensate for the extra thickness of the atheroma, then no narrowing, [[stenosis]], of the opening, lumen, occurs. The artery becomes expanded with an egg-shaped cross-section, still with a circular opening. If the enlargement is beyond proportion to the atheroma thickness, then an [[aneurysm]] is created.<ref name="Glagov">Glagov S, Weisenberg E, Zarins CK, Stankunavicius R, Kolettis GJ. Compensatory enlargement of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries. ''[[N Engl J Med]]'' 1987;316:131-1375. PMID</ref> |
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Rabbits fed rancid fats develop atherosclerosis faster.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Staprãns I, Rapp JH, Pan XM, Hardman DA, Feingold KR | title = Oxidized lipids in the diet accelerate the development of fatty streaks in cholesterol-fed rabbits | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 16 | issue = 4 | pages = 533–8 | date = April 1996 | pmid = 8624775 | doi = 10.1161/01.atv.16.4.533 }}</ref> Rats fed [[Docosahexaenoic acid|DHA]]-containing oils experienced marked disruptions to their [[antioxidant]] systems, and accumulated significant amounts of [[phospholipid]] [[hydroperoxide]] in their blood, livers and kidneys.<ref name=SongJH>{{cite journal | vauthors = Song JH, Fujimoto K, Miyazawa T | title = Polyunsaturated (n-3) fatty acids susceptible to peroxidation are increased in plasma and tissue lipids of rats fed docosahexaenoic acid-containing oils | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 130 | issue = 12 | pages = 3028–33 | date = December 2000 | pmid = 11110863 | doi = 10.1093/jn/130.12.3028 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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Rabbits fed atherogenic diets containing various oils were found to undergo the most oxidative susceptibility of [[Low-density lipoprotein|LDL]] via polyunsaturated oils.<ref name=YapSC>{{cite journal | vauthors = Yap SC, Choo YM, Hew NF, Yap SF, Khor HT, Ong AS, Goh SH | title = Oxidative susceptibility of low density lipoprotein from rabbits fed atherogenic diets containing coconut, palm, or soybean oils | journal = Lipids | volume = 30 | issue = 12 | pages = 1145–50 | date = December 1995 | pmid = 8614305 | doi = 10.1007/BF02536616 }}</ref> In another study, rabbits fed heated soybean oil "grossly induced atherosclerosis and marked liver damage were histologically and clinically demonstrated."<ref name=Greco>{{cite journal | vauthors = Greco AV, Mingrone G | title = Serum and biliary lipid pattern in rabbits feeding a diet enriched with unsaturated fatty acids | journal = Experimental Pathology | volume = 40 | issue = 1 | pages = 19–33 | year = 1990 | pmid = 2279534 | doi = 10.1016/S0232-1513(11)80281-1 }}</ref> However, [[Fred Kummerow]] claims that it is not dietary cholesterol, but [[oxysterol]]s, or oxidized cholesterols, from fried foods and smoking, that are the culprit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-08-scientist-orthodoxy-heart-disease.html|title=Scientist, 98, challenges orthodoxy on causes of heart disease|work=medicalxpress.com}}</ref> |
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===Visible features=== |
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[[Image:Atherosclerosis, aorta, gross pathology PHIL 846 lores.jpg|thumb|230px|Severe atherosclerosis of the [[aorta]]. [[Autopsy]] specimen.]] |
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Although arteries are not typically studied microscopically, two plaque types can be distinguished[http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Coronary%20ATS%20Calcification.html]: |
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# ''The fibro-lipid (fibro-fatty) plaque'' is characterized by an accumulation of lipid-laden cells underneath the intima of the arteries, typically without narrowing the lumen due to compensatory expansion of the bounding muscular layer of the artery wall. Beneath the endothelium there is a "fibrous cap" covering the atheromatous "core" of the plaque. The core consists of lipid-laden cells (macrophages and smooth muscle celblob blob this is so fucking gay u need to go suck a fuckin g cock u fucking peace of shitls) with elevated tissue cholesterol and cholesterol ester content, fibrin, proteoglycans, collagen, elastin, and cellular debris. In advanced plaques, the central core of the plaque usually contains extracellular cholesterol deposits (released from dead cells), which form areas of cholesterol crystals with empty, needle-like clefts. At the periphery of the plaque are younger "foamy" cells and capillaries. These plaques usually produce the most damage to the individual when they rupture. |
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# ''The fibrous plaque'' is also localized under the intima, within the wall of the artery resulting in thickening and expansion of the wall and, sometimes, spotty localized narrowing of the lumen with some atrophy of the muscular layer. The fibrous plaque contains collagen fibers (eosinophilic), precipitates of calcium (hematoxylinophilic) and, rarely, lipid-laden cells. |
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Rancid fats and oils taste very unpleasant in even small amounts, so people avoid eating them.<ref name=pmid16249011>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mattes RD | title = Fat taste and lipid metabolism in humans | journal = Physiology & Behavior | volume = 86 | issue = 5 | pages = 691–7 | date = December 2005 | pmid = 16249011 | doi = 10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.08.058 | quote = The rancid odor of an oxidized fat is readily detectable }}</ref> |
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In effect, the muscular portion of the artery wall forms small [[aneurysm]]s just large enough to hold the [[atheroma]] that are present. The muscular portion of artery walls usually remain strong, even after they have remodeled to compensate for the [[atheroma]]tous plaques. |
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It is very difficult to measure or estimate the actual human consumption of these substances.<ref name=pmid12589185>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dobarganes C, Márquez-Ruiz G | title = Oxidized fats in foods | journal = Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care | volume = 6 | issue = 2 | pages = 157–163 | date = March 2003 | pmid = 12589185 | doi = 10.1097/00075197-200303000-00004 }}</ref> Highly unsaturated [[Omega-3 fatty acid|omega-3]] rich oils such as fish oil, when being sold in pill form, can hide the taste of oxidized or rancid fat that might be present. In the US, the health food industry's dietary supplements are self-regulated and outside of FDA regulations.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/default.htm |title=Dietary Supplements |website=[[Food and Drug Administration]] |date=4 February 2020}}</ref> To protect unsaturated fats from oxidation, it is best to keep them cool and in oxygen-free environments.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Khan-Merchant N, Penumetcha M, Meilhac O, Parthasarathy S | title = Oxidized fatty acids promote atherosclerosis only in the presence of dietary cholesterol in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 132 | issue = 11 | pages = 3256–3262 | date = November 2002 | pmid = 12421837 | doi = 10.1093/jn/132.11.3256 | doi-access = free | author-link4 = Sampath Parthasarathy }}</ref> |
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== Pathophysiology ==<!-- This section is linked [[Antioxidant]] --> |
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However, [[atheroma]]s within the vessel wall are soft and fragile with little elasticity. Arteries constantly expand and contract with each heartbeat, i.e., the pulse. In addition, the calcification deposits between the outer portion of the atheroma and the muscular wall, as they progress, lead to a loss of elasticity and stiffening of the artery as a whole. |
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Atherogenesis is the developmental process of [[Atheroma|atheromatous plaques]]. It is characterized by a remodeling of arteries leading to subendothelial accumulation of fatty substances called plaques. The buildup of an atheromatous plaque is a slow process, developed over several years through a complex series of cellular events occurring within the arterial wall and in response to several local vascular circulating factors. One recent hypothesis suggests that, for unknown reasons, [[leukocytes]], such as [[monocytes]] or [[basophils]], begin to attack the [[endothelium]] of the artery lumen in [[cardiac muscle]]. The ensuing [[inflammation]] leads to the formation of atheromatous plaques in the arterial [[tunica intima]], a region of the vessel wall located between the [[endothelium]] and the [[tunica media]]. Chronic inflammation within the arterial wall, driven by immune cells like macrophages, accelerates atherosclerotic plaque instability by promoting collagen breakdown and thinning the fibrous cap, which increases the likelihood of rupture and thrombosis.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shahjehan |first1=Rai Dilawar |last2=Sharma |first2=Sanjeev |last3=Bhutta |first3=Beenish S. |title=StatPearls |date=2024 |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |chapter-url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564304/ |chapter=Coronary Artery Disease |pmid=33231974 }}</ref> The bulk of these lesions is made of excess fat, [[collagen]], and [[elastin]]. At first, as the plaques grow, only [[intima-media thickness|wall thickening]] occurs without narrowing. [[Stenosis]] is a late event, which may never occur and is often the result of repeated plaque rupture and healing responses, not just the atherosclerotic process.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/atherosclerosis/ | title= Atherosclerosis |
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The calcification deposits, after they have become sufficiently advanced, are partially visible on coronary artery [[computed tomography]] or [[electron beam tomography]] (EBT) as rings of increased radiographic density, forming halos around the outer edges of the atheromatous plaques, within the artery wall. On CT, >130 units on the [[Hounsfield scale]] {some argue for 90 units) has been the radiographic density usually accepted as clearly representing tissue calcification within arteries. These deposits demonstrate unequivocal evidence of the disease, relatively advanced, even though the lumen of the artery is often still normal by angiographic or [[intravascular ultrasound]]. |
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| website= The Lecturio Medical Concept Library |access-date= 2 July 2021}}</ref> Autopsy studies have shown that the prevalence of coronary artery atherosclerosis in males from the United States, with an average age of 22.1 years old, who died in war, ranges from 45% to 77.3%.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Joseph |first1=Abraham |last2=Ackerman |first2=Douglas |last3=Talley |first3=J.David |last4=Johnstone |first4=John |last5=Kupersmith |first5=Joel |title=Manifestations of coronary atherosclerosis in young trauma victims—An autopsy study |journal=Journal of the American College of Cardiology |date=August 1993 |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=459–467 |doi=10.1016/0735-1097(93)90050-B |pmid=8335815 }}</ref> |
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=== |
=== Cellular === |
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[[File:RCA atherosclerosis.jpg|thumb|[[Micrograph]] of an [[right coronary artery|artery]] that supplies the [[heart]] showing significant atherosclerosis and marked [[lumen (anatomy)|luminal]] narrowing. Tissue has been stained using [[Masson's trichrome]].]] |
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Although the disease process tends to be slowly progressive over decades, it usually remains asymptomatic until an atheroma obstructs the bloodstream in the artery. This is typically by rupture of an atheroma, clotting and fibrous organization of the clot within the lumen, covering the rupture but also producing [[stenosis]], or over time and after repeated ruptures, resulting in a persistent, usually localized stenosis. Stenoses can be slowly progressive, whereas plaque rupture is a sudden event that occurs specifically in atheromas with thinner/weaker fibrous caps that have become "unstable." |
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Early atherogenesis is characterized by the adherence of blood circulating [[monocytes]] (a type of [[white blood cell]]) to the vascular bed lining, the [[endothelium]], then by their migration to the sub-endothelial space, and further activation into monocyte-derived [[macrophage]]s.<ref name=cas/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Schwartz CJ, Valente AJ, Sprague EA, Kelley JL, Cayatte AJ, Mowery J | title = Atherosclerosis. Potential targets for stabilization and regression | journal = Circulation | volume = 86 | issue = 6 Suppl | pages = III117–23 | date = December 1992 | pmid = 1424045 }}</ref> The primary documented driver of this process is oxidized lipoprotein particles within the wall, beneath the [[endothelium|endothelial]] cells, though upper normal or elevated concentrations of [[Blood sugar level|blood glucose]] also plays a major role and not all factors are fully understood. [[Fatty streak]]s may appear and disappear.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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[[Low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) particles in blood plasma invade the [[endothelium]] and become oxidized, creating risk of [[cardiovascular disease]]. A complex set of biochemical reactions regulates the oxidation of [[Low-density lipoprotein|LDL]], involving enzymes (such as [[Lp-LpA2]]) and [[free radical]]s in the endothelium.<ref name=Endotext2000>{{cite journal | vauthors = Linton MF, Yancey PG, Davies SS, Jerome WG, Linton EF, Song WL, etal | title = The Role of Lipids and Lipoproteins in Atherosclerosis | journal = Endotext | date = 2000 | pmid = 26844337 | id = {{NCBIBook2|NBK343489}} }}</ref> |
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Repeated plaque ruptures, ones not resulting in total lumen closure, combined with the clot patch over the rupture and healing response to stabilize the clot, is the process that produces most stenoses over time. The stenotic areas tend to become more stable, despite increased flow velocities at these narrowings. Most major blood-flow-stopping events occur at large plaques, which, prior to their rupture, produced very little if any stenosis. |
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Initial damage to the endothelium results in an inflammatory response. Monocytes enter the artery wall from the bloodstream, with [[platelet]]s adhering to the area of insult. This may be promoted by [[redox signaling]] induction of factors such as [[VCAM-1]], which recruits circulating monocytes, and [[M-CSF]], which is selectively required for the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages. The monocytes differentiate into [[macrophage]]s, which proliferate locally,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Robbins CS, Hilgendorf I, Weber GF, Theurl I, Iwamoto Y, Figueiredo JL, Gorbatov R, Sukhova GK, Gerhardt LM, Smyth D, Zavitz CC, Shikatani EA, Parsons M, van Rooijen N, Lin HY, Husain M, Libby P, Nahrendorf M, Weissleder R, Swirski FK | title = Local proliferation dominates lesional macrophage accumulation in atherosclerosis | journal = Nature Medicine | volume = 19 | issue = 9 | pages = 1166–72 | date = September 2013 | pmid = 23933982 | pmc = 3769444 | doi = 10.1038/nm.3258 }}</ref> ingest oxidized LDL, slowly turning into large "[[foam cell]]s" – so-called because of their changed appearance resulting from the numerous internal cytoplasmic [[vesicle (biology)|vesicles]] and resulting high [[lipid]] content. Under the microscope, the lesion now appears as a fatty streak. Foam cells eventually die and further propagate the inflammatory process.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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From clinical trials, 20% is the average stenosis at plaques that subsequently rupture with resulting complete artery closure. Most severe clinical events do not occur at plaques that produce high-grade stenosis. From clinical trials, only 14% of heart attacks occur from artery closure at plaques producing a 75% or greater stenosis prior to the vessel closing. |
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In addition to these cellular activities, there is also [[smooth muscle]] proliferation and migration from the [[tunica media]] into the [[tunica intima|intima]] in response to [[cytokine]]s secreted by damaged endothelial cells. This causes the formation of a fibrous capsule covering the fatty streak. Intact endothelium can prevent this smooth muscle proliferation by releasing [[nitric oxide]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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If the fibrous cap separating a soft atheroma from the bloodstream within the artery ruptures, tissue fragments are exposed and released, and blood enters the atheroma within the wall and sometimes results in a sudden expansion of the atheroma size. Tissue fragments are very clot-promoting, containing [[collagen]] and [[tissue factor]]; they activate [[platelet]]s and activate the [[coagulation|system of coagulation]]. The result is the formation of a [[thrombus]] (blood clot) overlying the atheroma, which obstructs blood flow acutely. With the obstruction of blood flow, downstream tissues are starved of [[oxygen]] and nutrients. If this is the [[myocardium]] (heart muscle), [[Angina pectoris|angina]] (cardiac chest pain) or [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack) develops. |
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===Calcification and lipids=== |
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==Diagnosis of plaque-related disease== |
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[[Calcification]] forms among [[vascular smooth muscle]] cells of the surrounding muscular layer, specifically in the muscle cells adjacent to atheromas and on the surface of atheroma plaques and tissue.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Miller JD | title = Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins | journal = Nature Materials | volume = 12 | issue = 6 | pages = 476–478 | date = June 2013 | pmid = 23695741 | doi = 10.1038/nmat3663 | bibcode = 2013NatMa..12..476M }}</ref> In time, as cells die, this leads to extracellular calcium deposits between the muscular wall and outer portion of the atheromatous plaques. With the atheromatous plaque interfering with the regulation of calcium deposition, it accumulates and crystallizes. A similar form of intramural calcification, presenting the picture of an early phase of arteriosclerosis, appears to be induced by many drugs that have an antiproliferative mechanism of action ([[Rainer Liedtke]] 2008).{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} |
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[[Image:Calcificatio atherosclerotica.jpg|thumb|Microphotography of arterial wall with calcified (violet colour) atherosclerotic plaque (haematoxillin & eosin stain)]] |
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Areas of severe narrowing, [[stenosis]], detectable by angiography, and to a lesser extent "[[stress testing]]" have long been the focus of human diagnostic techniques for [[cardiovascular disease]], in general. However, these methods focus on detecting only severe [[stenosis|narrowing]], not the underlying atherosclerosis disease. As demonstrated by human clinical studies, most severe events occur in locations with heavy plaque, yet little or no lumen [[stenosis|narrowing]] present before debilitating events suddenly occur. Plaque rupture can lead to artery lumen occlusion within seconds to minutes, and potential permanent debility and sometimes sudden death. |
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Cholesterol is delivered into the vessel wall by cholesterol-containing [[low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) particles. To attract and stimulate macrophages, the cholesterol must be released from the LDL particles and oxidized, a key step in the ongoing inflammatory process. The process is worsened if it is insufficient [[high-density lipoprotein]] (HDL), the lipoprotein particle that removes cholesterol from tissues and carries it back to the liver.<ref name=Endotext2000/> |
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Plaques that have ruptured are called complicated plaques. The lipid matrix breaks through the thinning [[collagen]] gap and when the lipids come in contact with the blood, clotting occurs. After rupture the platelet adhesion causes the clotting cascade to contact with the lipid pool causing a [[thrombus]] to form. This thrombus will eventually grow and travel throughout the body. The [[thrombus]] will travel through different arteries and veins and eventually become lodged in an area that narrows. Once the area is blocked, blood and [[oxygen]] will not be able to supply the vessels and will cause death of cells and lead to [[necrosis]] and poisoning. Serious complicated plaques can cause death of organ tissues, causing serious complications to that organ system. |
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The [[foam cell]]s and [[platelet]]s encourage the migration and proliferation of [[smooth muscle]] cells, which in turn ingest lipids, become replaced by [[collagen]], and transform into foam cells themselves. A protective fibrous cap normally forms between the fatty deposits and the artery lining (the [[endothelium|intima]]).{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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Greater than 75% lumen [[stenosis]] used to be considered by cardiologists as the hallmark of clinically significant disease because it is typically only at this severity of narrowing of the larger heart arteries that recurring episodes of [[Angina pectoris|angina]] and detectable abnormalities by [[stress test|stress testing]] methods are seen. |
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However, clinical trials have shown that only about 14% of clinically-debilitating events occur at locations with this, or greater severity of [[stenosis|narrowing]]. |
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The majority of events occur due to atheroma plaque rupture at areas without [[stenosis|narrowing]] sufficient enough to produce any [[Angina pectoris|angina]] or [[stress test]] abnormalities. |
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Thus, since the later-1990s, greater attention is being focused on the "vulnerable plaque."<ref name="MaseriFuster">{{cite journal |author=Maseri A, Fuster V |title=Is there a vulnerable plaque? |journal=Circulation |volume=107 |issue=16 |pages=2068–71 |year=2003 |pmid=12719286 |doi=10.1161/01.CIR.0000070585.48035.D1 |accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> |
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These capped fatty deposits (now called 'atheromas') produce enzymes that cause the artery to enlarge over time. As long as the artery enlarges sufficiently to compensate for the extra thickness of the atheroma, then no narrowing ("[[stenosis]]") of the opening ("lumen") occurs. The artery expands with an egg-shaped cross-section, still with a circular opening. If the enlargement is beyond proportion to the atheroma thickness, then an [[aneurysm]] is created.<ref name=Glagov>{{cite journal | vauthors = Glagov S, Weisenberg E, Zarins CK, Stankunavicius R, Kolettis GJ | title = Compensatory enlargement of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 316 | issue = 22 | pages = 1371–5 | date = May 1987 | pmid = 3574413 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM198705283162204 }}</ref> |
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Though any artery in the body can be involved, usually only severe [[stenosis|narrowing]] or obstruction of some arteries, those that supply more critically-important organs are recognized. Obstruction of arteries supplying the heart muscle result in a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]. Obstruction of arteries supplying the brain result in a [[stroke]]. These events are life-changing, and often result in irreversible loss of function because lost heart muscle and brain cells do not grow back to any significant extent, typically less than 2%. |
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===Visible features=== |
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Over the last couple of decades, methods other than angiography and stress-testing have been increasingly developed as ways to better detect atherosclerotic disease before it becomes symptomatic. These have included both (a) anatomic detection methods and (b) physiologic measurement methods. |
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[[File:Atherosclerosis, aorta, gross pathology PHIL 846 lores.jpg|thumb|230px|Severe atherosclerosis of the [[aorta]]. [[Autopsy]] specimen.]] |
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Although arteries are not typically studied microscopically, two plaque types can be distinguished:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/coronary-atherosclerosis-fibrous-plaque.php |title=Coronary atherosclerosis — the fibrous plaque with calcification |publisher=www.pathologyatlas.ro |access-date=2010-03-25 }}</ref> |
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# The fibro-lipid (fibro-fatty) plaque is characterized by an accumulation of lipid-laden cells underneath the [[Tunica intima|intima]] of the arteries, typically without narrowing the lumen due to compensatory expansion of the bounding muscular layer of the artery wall. Beneath the endothelium, there is a "fibrous cap" covering the atheromatous "core" of the plaque. The core consists of lipid-laden cells (macrophages and smooth muscle cells) with elevated tissue cholesterol and [[Cholesteryl ester|cholesterol ester]] content, [[fibrin]], [[proteoglycan]]s, [[collagen]], [[elastin]], and cellular debris. In advanced plaques, the central core of the plaque usually contains extracellular cholesterol deposits (released from dead cells), which form areas of cholesterol crystals with empty, needle-like clefts. At the periphery of the plaque are younger "foamy" cells and capillaries. These plaques usually produce the most damage to the individual when they rupture. Cholesterol crystals may also play a role.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Janoudi A, Shamoun FE, Kalavakunta JK, Abela GS | title = Cholesterol crystal-induced arterial inflammation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque | journal = European Heart Journal | volume = 37 | issue = 25 | pages = 1959–67 | date = July 2016 | pmid = 26705388 | doi = 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv653 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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Examples of anatomic methods include: (1) coronary calcium scoring by CT, (2) carotid IMT ([[Intima-media thickness|intimal media thickness]]) measurement by ultrasound, and (3) IVUS. |
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# The fibrous plaque is also localized under the intima, within the arterial wall resulting in thickening and expansion of the wall and, sometimes, spotty localized narrowing of the lumen with some atrophy of the muscular layer. The fibrous plaque contains collagen fibers ([[eosinophilic]]), precipitates of calcium (hematoxylinophilic), and rarely, lipid-laden cells.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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In effect, the muscular portion of the artery wall forms small [[aneurysm]]s just large enough to hold the [[atheroma]] that are present. The muscular portion of artery walls usually remains strong, even after they have been remodeled to compensate for the atheromatous plaques.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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Examples of physiologic methods include: (1) lipoprotein subclass analysis, (2) [[Glycosylated hemoglobin|HbA1c]], (3) [[C-reactive protein|hs-CRP]], and (4) [[homocysteine]]. |
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However, atheromas within the vessel wall are soft and fragile with little elasticity. Arteries constantly expand and contract with each heartbeat, i.e., the pulse. In addition, the calcification deposits between the outer portion of the atheroma and the muscular wall, as they progress, lead to a loss of elasticity and stiffening of the artery as a whole.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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The example of the metabolic syndrome combines both anatomic (abdominal girth) and physiologic (blood pressure, elevated blood glucose) methods. |
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The calcification deposits,<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Maton A, Hopkins RL, McLaughlin CW, Johnson S, Warner MQ, LaHart D, Wright JD | display-authors = 6 | title = Human Biology and Health | publisher = Prentice Hall | year = 1993 | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ | isbn = 978-0-13-981176-0 | oclc = 32308337 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/humanbiologyheal00scho }}</ref> after they have become sufficiently advanced, are partially visible on coronary artery [[computed tomography]] or [[electron beam tomography]] (EBT) as rings of increased radiographic density, forming halos around the outer edges of the atheromatous plaques, within the artery wall. On CT, >130 units on the [[Hounsfield scale]] (some argue for 90 units) has been the radiographic density usually accepted as clearly representing tissue calcification within arteries. These deposits demonstrate unequivocal evidence of the disease, relatively advanced, even though the lumen of the artery is often still normal by angiography.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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Advantages of these two approaches: The anatomic methods directly measure some aspect of the actual atherosclerotic disease process itself, thus offer potential for earlier detection, including before symptoms start, disease staging and tracking of disease progression. The physiologic methods are often less expensive and safer and changing them for the better may slow disease progression, in some cases with marked improvement. |
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===Rupture and stenosis=== |
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Disadvantages of these two approaches: The anatomic methods are generally more expensive and several are invasive, such as IVUS. The physiologic methods do not quantify the current state of the disease or directly track progression. For both, clinicians and third party payers have been slow to accept the usefulness of these newer approaches. |
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[[File:Late complications of atherosclerosis.PNG|thumb|upright=1.4|Progression of atherosclerosis to late complications]] |
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Although the disease process tends to be slowly progressive over decades, it usually remains asymptomatic until an atheroma [[wikt:ulcer|ulcerates]], which leads to immediate blood clotting at the site of the atheroma ulcer. This triggers a cascade of events that leads to clot enlargement, which may quickly obstruct blood flow. A complete blockage leads to ischemia of the myocardial (heart) muscle and damage. This process is the [[myocardial infarction]] or "heart attack".<ref name="What Are the Signs and Symptoms of">{{cite web|title=What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease?|url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/signs|website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov|access-date=2 July 2021|date=September 29, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224034615/http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/signs|archive-date=24 February 2015}}</ref> |
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If the heart attack is not fatal, fibrous organization of the clot within the lumen ensues, covering the rupture but also producing [[stenosis]] or closure of the lumen, or over time and after repeated ruptures, resulting in a persistent, usually localized stenosis or blockage of the artery lumen. Stenoses can be slowly progressive, whereas plaque ulceration is a sudden event that occurs specifically in atheromas with thinner/weaker fibrous caps that have become "unstable".<ref name="What Are the Signs and Symptoms of"/> |
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==Physiologic factors that increase risk== |
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Various anatomic, physiological & behavioral risk factors for atherosclerosis are known.<ref name=Blankenhorn>{{cite journal |
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|author=D H Blankenhorn and H N Hodis |
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|title= Atherosclerosis--reversal with therapy |
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|url=http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1022223 |
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|journal=West J Med|year=1993 August|volume=159(2)|pages= 172–179|accessdate=2007-11-19}}</ref> |
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These can be divided into various categories: congenital ''vs'' acquired, modifiable or not, classical or non-classical. The points labelled '+' in the following list form the core components of "[[metabolic syndrome]]": |
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* [[Senescence|Advanced age]] |
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* Having [[Diabetes]] or [[Impaired glucose tolerance]] (IGT) + |
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* [[lipoprotein|Dyslipoproteinemia]] (unhealthy patterns of serum proteins carrying fats & [[cholesterol]]): + |
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** High serum concentration of [[low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL, "bad if elevated concentrations and small"), and / or [[very low density lipoprotein]] (VLDL) particles, i.e., "lipoprotein subclass analysis" |
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** Low serum concentration of functioning [[high density lipoprotein]] (HDL "protective if large and high enough" particles), i.e., "lipoprotein subclass analysis" |
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** An LDL:HDL ratio greater than 3:1 |
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* [[Male]] sex |
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* [[Tobacco smoking]] |
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* Having [[hypertension|high]] [[blood pressure]] + |
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* Being [[obesity|obese]] (in particular [[central obesity]], also referred to as ''abdominal'' or ''male-type'' obesity) + |
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* A [[sedentary lifestyle]] |
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* Having close relatives who have had some complication of atherosclerosis (eg. [[coronary heart disease]] or [[stroke]]) |
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* Elevated serum levels of [[triglycerides]] + |
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* Elevated serum levels of [[homocysteine]] |
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* Elevated serum levels of [[uric acid]] (also responsible for gout) |
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* Elevated serum [[fibrinogen]] concentrations |
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* Elevated serum [[lipoprotein(a)]] concentrations |
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* Elevated serum [[C-reactive protein]] concentrations |
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** Chronic systemic [[inflammation]] as reflected by upper normal WBC concentrations, elevated [[C reactive protein|hs-CRP]] and many other blood chemistry markers, most only research level at present, not clinically done.<ref name=Bhatt> [http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/circulationaha;106/1/136 Deepak L. Bhatt, MD; Eric J. Topol, MD] ''Need to Test the Arterial Inflammation Hypothesis'', 2002, referenced on 4/1/06 </ref> |
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* [[Stress (medicine)|Stress]] or symptoms of [[clinical depression]] |
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* [[Hyperthyroidism]] (an over-active [[thyroid]]) |
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===Dietary risk factors=== |
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The relation between dietary fat and atherosclerosis is a contentious field. |
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The [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]], in its [[food pyramid]], promotes a low-fat diet, based largely on its view that fat in the diet is atherogenic. |
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The [[American Heart Association]], the [[American Diabetes Association]] and the [[National Cholesterol Education Program]] make similar recommendations. |
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In contrast, Prof [[Walter Willett]] (Harvard School of Public Health, [[Principal investigator|PI]] of the second [[Nurses' Health Study]]) recommends much higher levels, especially of [[Monounsaturated fat|monounsaturated]] and [[polyunsaturated fat]].<ref name="titleFood Pyramids: Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health">{{cite web |url=http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html |title=Food Pyramids: Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health |accessdate=2007-11-25 |format= |work=}}</ref> |
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Writing in [[Science]], [[Gary Taubes]] detailed that political considerations played into the recommendations of government bodies.<ref name="Taubes">{{cite web |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/291/5513/2536?ck=nck&siteid=sci&ijkey=ow64uv8o370SA&keytype=ref |
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|title=NUTRITION: The Soft Science of Dietary Fat |doi=DOI: 10.1126/science.291.5513.2536 |
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|author=Taubes |volume=291 |pages=5513|journal=Science |accessdate=2007-11-25 |format= |work=}}</ref> |
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These differing views reach a consensus, though, against consumption of [[trans fat]]s. |
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Repeated plaque ruptures, ones not resulting in total lumen closure, combined with the clot patch over the rupture and healing response to stabilize the clot is the process that produces most stenoses over time. The stenotic areas often become more stable despite increased flow velocities at these narrowings. Most major blood-flow-stopping events occur at large plaques, which, before their rupture, produced little if any stenosis.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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The role of dietary oxidized fats / [[lipid peroxidation]] ([[rancidification|rancid fats]]) in humans is not clear. |
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Laboratory animals fed rancid fats develop atherosclerosis. Rats fed [[Docosahexaenoic acid| DHA]]-containing oils experienced marked disruptions to their [[antioxidant]] systems, as well as accumulated significant amounts of peroxide in their blood, livers and kidneys.<ref name="SongJH">{{cite journal |author=Song JH, Fujimoto K, Miyazawa T |title=Polyunsaturated (n-3) fatty acids susceptible to peroxidation are increased in plasma and tissue lipids of rats fed docosahexaenoic acid-containing oils |journal=J. Nutr. |volume=130 |issue=12 |pages=3028–33 |year=2000 |pmid=11110863 |doi= |accessdate=2007-12-10}}</ref> |
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In another study, rabbits fed atherogenic diets containing various oils were found to undergo the greatest amount of oxidative susceptibility of LDL via polyunsaturated oils.<ref name="YapSC">{{cite journal |author=Yap SC, Choo YM, Hew NF, ''et al'' |title=Oxidative susceptibility of low density lipoprotein from rabbits fed atherogenic diets containing coconut, palm, or soybean oils |journal=Lipids |volume=30 |issue=12 |pages=1145–50 |year=1995 |pmid=8614305 |doi= |accessdate=2007-12-10}}</ref> In a study involving rabbits fed heated soybean oil, "grossly induced atherosclerosis and marked liver damage were histologically and clinically demonstrated".<ref name="Greco">{{cite journal |author=Greco AV, Mingrone G |title=Serum and biliary lipid pattern in rabbits feeding a diet enriched with unsaturated fatty acids |journal=Exp Pathol |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=19–33 |year=1990 |pmid=2279534 |doi= |accessdate=2007-12-10}}</ref> |
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From clinical trials, 20% is the average stenosis at plaques that subsequently rupture with resulting complete artery closure. Most severe clinical events do not occur at plaques that produce high-grade stenosis. From clinical trials, only 14% of heart attacks occur from artery closure at plaques producing a 75% or greater stenosis before the vessel closing.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} |
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Rancid fats and oils taste very bad even in small amounts; people avoid eating them.<ref name="pmid16249011">{{cite journal |author=Mattes RD |title=Fat taste and lipid metabolism in humans |journal=Physiol. Behav. |volume=86 |issue=5 |pages=691–7 |year=2005 |pmid=16249011 |doi=10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.08.058 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031-9384(05)00397-5 |
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|quote=The rancid odor of an oxidized fat is readily detectable |accessdate=2007-12-04}}</ref> |
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It is very difficult to measure or estimate the actual human consumption of these substances.<ref name="pmid12589185">{{cite journal |author=Dobarganes C, Márquez-Ruiz G |title=Oxidized fats in foods |journal=Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=157–63 |year=2003 |pmid=12589185 |doi=10.1097/01.mco.0000058585.27240.ee |accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> In addition, the majority of oils consumed in the United States are refined, bleached, deodorized and degummed by manufacturers. The resultant oils are colorless, odorless, tasteless and have a longer shelf life than their unrefined counterparts.<ref>[http://www.udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/hbaco.htm How Bad Are Cooking Oils?] by [[Udo Erasmus]], PhD</ref> This extensive processing serves to make peroxidated, rancid oils much more elusive to detection via the various human senses than the unprocessed alternatives. |
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If the fibrous cap separating a soft atheroma from the bloodstream within the artery ruptures, tissue fragments are exposed and released. These tissue fragments are very clot-promoting, containing [[collagen]] and [[tissue factor]]; they activate [[platelet]]s and activate the [[coagulation|system of coagulation]]. The result is the formation of a [[thrombus]] (blood clot) overlying the atheroma, which obstructs blood flow acutely. With the obstruction of blood flow, downstream tissues are starved of [[oxygen]] and nutrients. If this is the [[myocardium]] (heart muscle) [[Angina pectoris|angina]] (cardiac chest pain) or [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack) develops.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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== Prognosis== |
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[[dyslipidemia|Lipoprotein imbalances]], upper normal and especially elevated blood sugar, i.e., [[diabetes]], high blood pressure, [[homocysteine]], stopping smoking, taking [[anticoagulant]]s (anti-clotting agents), which target clotting factors, taking omega-3 oils from fatty fish or plant oils such as flax or canola oils, exercising and losing weight are the usual focus of treatments that have proven to be helpful in clinical trials. The target serum cholesterol level is ideally equal or less than 4mmol/L (160 mg/dL), and triglycerides equal or less than 2mmol/L (180 mg/dL). |
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===Accelerated growth of plaques=== |
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Evidence has increased that people with [[diabetes]], despite their not having clinically-detectable atherosclotic disease, have more severe debility from atherosclerotic events over time than even non-diabetics that have already suffered atherosclerotic events. Thus [[diabetes]] has been upgraded to be viewed as an advanced atherosclerotic disease equivalent. |
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The distribution of atherosclerotic plaques in a part of arterial endothelium is inhomogeneous. The multiple and focal development of atherosclerotic changes is similar to that in the development of [[amyloid plaques]] in the brain and age spots on the skin. Misrepair-accumulation aging theory suggests that misrepair mechanisms<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang J, Michelitsch T, Wunderlin A, Mahadeva R |title=Aging as a consequence of misrepair -- A novel theory of aging |journal=Nature Precedings |date=6 April 2009 |doi=10.1038/npre.2009.2988.2 |arxiv=0904.0575 }}</ref><ref>{{cite arXiv |title= Aging as a process of accumulation of Misrepairs | vauthors = Wang-Michelitsch J, Michelitsch T |class= q-bio.TO |year=2015 | eprint = 1503.07163 }}</ref> play an important role in the focal development of atherosclerosis.<ref>{{cite arXiv |title= Misrepair mechanism in the development of atherosclerotic plaques | vauthors = Wang-Michelitsch J, Michelitsch TM |class= q-bio.TO |year=2015 | eprint = 1505.01289 }}</ref> The development of a plaque is a result of the repair of the injured endothelium. Because of the infusion of lipids into the sub-endothelium, the repair has to end up with altered remodeling of the local endothelium. This is the manifestation of a misrepair. This altered remodeling increases the susceptibility of the local endothelium to damage and reduces its repair efficiency. Consequently, this part of endothelium has an increased risk of being injured and improperly repaired. Thus, the accumulation of misrepairs of endothelium is focalized and self-accelerating. In this way, the growth of a plaque is also self-accelerating. Within a part of the arterial wall, the oldest plaque is always the biggest and is the most dangerous one to cause blockage of a local artery.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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== |
===Components=== |
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The plaque is divided into three distinct components: |
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If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, some symptoms such as [[angina pectoris]] can be treated. Non-pharmaceutical means are usually the first method of treatment, such as cessation of smoking and practicing regular exercise. If these methods do not work, medicines are usually the next step in treating cardiovascular diseases, and, with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term. However, medicines are criticized for their expense, patented control and occasional undesired effects. |
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# The [[atheroma]] ("lump of gruel", {{ety|gre|''ἀθήρα'' (athera)|[[gruel]]}}), which is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques, composed of macrophages nearest the [[lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] of the artery{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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# Underlying areas of cholesterol crystals{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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# Calcification at the outer base of older or more advanced [[lesions]]. Atherosclerotic lesions, or atherosclerotic plaques, are separated into two broad categories: Stable and unstable (also called vulnerable).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ross R | title = Atherosclerosis--an inflammatory disease | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 340 | issue = 2 | pages = 115–26 | date = January 1999 | pmid = 9887164 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM199901143400207 }}</ref> The pathobiology of atherosclerotic lesions is very complicated, but generally, stable atherosclerotic plaques, which tend to be asymptomatic, are rich in [[extracellular matrix]] and [[smooth muscle cells]]. On the other hand, unstable plaques are rich in macrophages and [[foam cell]]s, and the extracellular matrix separating the lesion from the arterial lumen (also known as the [[fibrous cap]]) is usually weak and prone to rupture.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Finn AV, Nakano M, Narula J, Kolodgie FD, Virmani R | title = Concept of vulnerable/unstable plaque | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 30 | issue = 7 | pages = 1282–92 | date = July 2010 | pmid = 20554950 | doi = 10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.179739 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Ruptures of the fibrous cap expose thrombogenic material, such as [[collagen]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Didangelos A, Simper D, Monaco C, Mayr M | title = Proteomics of acute coronary syndromes | journal = Current Atherosclerosis Reports | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = 188–95 | date = May 2009 | pmid = 19361350 | doi = 10.1007/s11883-009-0030-x }}</ref> to the circulation and eventually induce [[thrombus]] formation in the lumen. Upon formation, intraluminal thrombi can occlude arteries outright (e.g., coronary occlusion), but more often they detach, move into the circulation, and eventually occlude smaller downstream branches causing [[thromboembolism]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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Apart from thromboembolism, chronically expanding atherosclerotic lesions can cause complete closure of the lumen. Chronically expanding lesions are often asymptomatic until the lumen [[stenosis]] is so severe (usually over 80%) that blood supply to downstream tissue(s) is insufficient, resulting in [[ischemia]]. These complications of advanced atherosclerosis are chronic, slowly progressive, and cumulative. Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ruptures (see [[vulnerable plaque]]), causing the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to the death of the tissues fed by the artery in approximately five minutes. This event is called an [[infarction]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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===Statins=== |
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In general, the group of medications referred to as [[statins]] has been the most popular and are widely prescribed for treating atherosclerosis. They have relatively few short-term or longer-term undesirable side-effects, and multiple comparative treatment/placebo trials have fairly consistently shown strong effects in reducing atherosclerotic disease 'events' and generally ~25% comparative mortality reduction in clinical trials, although one study design, ALLHAT.<ref name="pmid12479764">{{cite journal |
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|author= |
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|title=Major outcomes in moderately hypercholesterolemic, hypertensive patients randomized to pravastatin vs usual care: The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT-LLT) |
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|journal=JAMA |
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|volume=288 |
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|issue=23 |
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|pages=2998–3007 |
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|year=2002 |
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|pmid=12479764 |
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|doi= |
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|accessdate=2007-11-02 |
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}}</ref> was less strongly favorable. |
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==Diagnosis== |
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The newest statin, [[rosuvastatin]], has been the first to demonstrate regression of atherosclerotic plaque within the [[coronary arteries]] by [[IVUS]] (intravascular ultrasound evaluation),<ref name=Nissen>{{cite journal |
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[[File:CT image of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta.svg|thumb| [[CT image]] of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta. Woman of 70 years old with hypertension and dyslipidemia.]] |
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|journal=JAMA |
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[[File:Calcificatio atherosclerotica.jpg|thumb|Microphotography of arterial wall with calcified (violet color) atherosclerotic plaque ([[hematoxylin]] and [[eosin]] stain)]] |
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|url=http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/jama;295/13/1556.pdf?ijkey=Md42dlk7z9TzyL8&keytype=finite |
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|title= "Effect of Very High-Intensity Statin Therapy on Regression of Coronary Atherosclerosis–The ASTEROID Trial"| |
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|author=Nissen}}</ref> The study was set up to demonstrate effect primarily on atherosclerosis volume within a 2 year time-frame in people with active/symptomatic disease (angina frequency also declined markedly) but not global clinical outcomes, which was expected to require longer trial time periods; these longer trials remain in progress. |
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Areas of severe narrowing, [[stenosis]], detectable by [[angiography]], and to a lesser extent "[[Cardiac stress test|stress testing]]" have long been the focus of human diagnostic techniques for [[cardiovascular disease]], in general. However, these methods focus on detecting only severe narrowing, not the underlying atherosclerosis disease.<ref name=CR118-4>{{cite journal | vauthors = Tarkin JM, Dweck MR, Evans NR, Takx RA, Brown AJ, Tawakol A, Fayad ZA, Rudd JH | display-authors = 6 | title = Imaging Atherosclerosis | journal = Circulation Research | volume = 118 | issue = 4 | pages = 750–769 | date = February 2016 | pmid = 26892971 | pmc = 4756468 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306247 }}</ref> As demonstrated by human clinical studies, most severe events occur in locations with heavy plaque, yet little or no lumen narrowing present before debilitating events suddenly occur. Plaque rupture can lead to artery lumen occlusion within seconds to minutes, potential permanent debility, and sometimes sudden death.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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However, for most people, changing their physiologic behaviors, from the usual high risk to greatly reduced risk, requires a combination of several compounds, taken on a daily basis and indefinitely. More and more human treatment trials have been done and are ongoing that demonstrate improved outcome for those people using more-complex and effective treatment regimens that change physiologic behaviour patterns to more closely resemble those that humans exhibit in childhood at a time before [[fatty streaks]] begin forming. |
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Plaques that have ruptured are called complicated lesions. The [[extracellular matrix]] of the lesion breaks, usually at the shoulder of the fibrous cap that separates the lesion from the arterial lumen, where the exposed thrombogenic components of the plaque, mainly [[collagen]], will trigger [[thrombus]] formation. The thrombus then travels downstream to other blood vessels, where the blood clot may partially or completely block blood flow. If the blood flow is completely blocked, cell deaths occur due to the lack of [[oxygen]] supply to [[Endoscopic optical coherence tomography imaging|nearby]] cells, resulting in [[necrosis]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stary HC, Chandler AB, Dinsmore RE, Fuster V, Glagov S, Insull W, Rosenfeld ME, Schwartz CJ, Wagner WD, Wissler RW | display-authors = 6 | title = A definition of advanced types of atherosclerotic lesions and a histological classification of atherosclerosis. A report from the Committee on Vascular Lesions of the Council on Arteriosclerosis, American Heart Association | journal = Circulation | volume = 92 | issue = 5 | pages = 1355–1374 | date = September 1995 | pmid = 7648691 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.92.5.1355 | doi-access = free | author-link4 = Valentín Fuster }}</ref> The narrowing or obstruction of blood flow can occur in any artery within the body. Obstruction of arteries supplying the heart muscle results in a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]], while the obstruction of arteries supplying the brain results in an ischaemic [[stroke]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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The [[statin]]s, and some other medications, have been shown to have [[antioxidant]] effects, possibly part of their basis for some of their therapeutic success in reducing cardiac 'events'. |
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[[File:RICA Stenosis 174302500.jpg|thumb|300px|Doppler ultrasound of right internal carotid artery with calcified and non-calcified plaques showing less than 70% stenosis]] |
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The success of statin drugs in clinical trials is based on some reductions in mortality rates, however by trial design biased toward men and middle-age, the data is as, as yet, less strongly clear for women and people over the age of 70 [http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/173/10/1207-a CMAJ]. For example, in 4S, the first large placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial of a statin in people with advanced disease who had already suffered a heart attack, the overall mortality rate reduction for those taking the statin, vs. placebo, was 30%. For the subgroup of people in the trial that had Diabetes Mellitus, the mortality rate reduction between statin and placebo was 54%. 4S was a 5.4-year trial that started in 1989 and was published in 1995 after completion. There were 3 more dead women at trial's end on statin than in the group on placebo drug whether chance or some relation to the statin remains unclear. The ASTEROID trial has been the first to show actual disease volume regression<ref name=Nissen /> (see page 8 of the paper, which shows cross-sectional areas of the total heart artery wall at start and 2 years of rosuvastatin 40 mg/day treatment); however, its design was not able to "prove" the mortality reduction issue since it did not include a placebo group, the individuals offered treatment within the trial had advanced disease and promoting a comparison placebo arm was judged to be unethical. |
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Lumen [[stenosis]] that is greater than 75% was considered the hallmark of clinically significant disease in the past because recurring episodes of [[Angina pectoris|angina]] and abnormalities in [[Cardiac stress test|stress tests]] are only detectable at that particular severity of stenosis. However, clinical trials have shown that only about 14% of clinically debilitating events occur at sites with more than 75% stenosis. Most cardiovascular events that involve sudden rupture of the atheroma plaque do not display any evident luminal narrowing. Thus, greater attention has been focused on "vulnerable plaque" from the late 1990s onwards.<ref name=MaseriFuster>{{cite journal | vauthors = Maseri A, Fuster V | title = Is there a vulnerable plaque? | journal = [[Circulation (journal)|Circulation]] | volume = 107 | issue = 16 | pages = 2068–71 | date = April 2003 | pmid = 12719286 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.0000070585.48035.D1 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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====Primary and Secondary Prevention—Studies==== |
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Combinations of [[statin]]s, [[niacin]], intestinal cholesterol absorption-inhibiting supplements ([[ezetimibe]] and others, and to a much lesser extent [[fibrate]]s have been the most successful in changing common but sub-optimal [[lipoprotein]] patterns and group outcomes. |
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In the many secondary prevention and several primary prevention trials, several classes of lipoprotein expression (less correctly termed "cholesterol-lowering") altering agents have consistently reduced not only heart attack, stroke and hospitalization but also all-cause mortality rates. |
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The first of the large secondary prevention comparative statin/placebo treatment trials was the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) <ref>{{cite journal |
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| journal =European Heart Journal |year= 1997 |issue=18(11)|pages=1725-1727; |
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| title =Cholesterol lowering after participation in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) in Finland |
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| author=T. E. Strandberg, S. Lehto, K. Pyörälä, A. Kesäniemi, H. Oksa |
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| url=http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/18/11/1725 |
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| accessdate=2007-11-18}} </ref> |
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with over 15 more extending through the more recent ASTEROID <ref name="ASTEROID">{{cite journal |
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|author=Nissen SE, Nicholls SJ, Sipahi I, ''et al'' |
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|title=Effect of very high-intensity statin therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerosis: the ASTEROID trial |
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|journal=JAMA |
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|volume=295 |issue=13 |pages=1556-65 |year=2006 |pmid=16533939 |doi=10.1001/jama.295.13.jpc60002 |
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|url=http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/jama;295/13/1556.pdf?ijkey=Md42dlk7z9TzyL8&keytype=finite |format=PDF}}</ref> |
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trial published in 2006. |
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The first primary prevention comparative treatment trial was AFCAPS/TexCAPS <ref name=CAPS>{{cite journal |
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|url=http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/279/20/1615 |
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|journal = JAMA |volume= 279 No. 20|date= May 27, 1998 |
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|title=Primary Prevention of Acute Coronary Events With Lovastatin in Men and Women With Average Cholesterol Levels—Results of AFCAPS/TexCAPS |
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|author=John R. Downs, MD; Michael Clearfield, DO; Stephen Weis, DO; Edwin Whitney, MD; Deborah R. Shapiro, DrPH; Polly A. Beere, MD, PhD; Alexandra Langendorfer, MS; Evan A. Stein, MD; William Kruyer, MD; Antonio M. Gotto, Jr, MD, DPhil; for the AFCAPS/TexCAPS Research Group |
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|pages=1615-1622}}</ref> |
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with multiple later comparative statin/placebo treatment trials |
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including EXCEL.<ref name="pmid1985608">{{cite journal |
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|author=Bradford RH, Shear CL, Chremos AN, ''et al'' |
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|title=Expanded Clinical Evaluation of Lovastatin (EXCEL) study results. I. Efficacy in modifying plasma lipoproteins and adverse event profile in 8245 patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia |
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|journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=151 |issue=1 |pages=43–9 |year=1991 |pmid=1985608 |
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|doi= |accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref>, |
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ASCOT <ref name="pmid15855581">{{cite journal |
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|author=Sever PS, Poulter NR, Dahlöf B, ''et al'' |
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|title=Reduction in cardiovascular events with atorvastatin in 2,532 patients with type 2 diabetes: Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial--lipid-lowering arm (ASCOT-LLA) |
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|journal=Diabetes Care |volume=28 |issue=5 |pages=1151–7 |year=2005 |pmid=15855581 |doi= |accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> |
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and SPARCL.<ref> {{cite web |
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|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/536377 |
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|publisher = [[Medscape]] |
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|author=Linda Brookes, MSc |
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|title=SPARCL: Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels |
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|accessdate= 2007-11-19}}</ref> |
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<ref> {{cite journal| |
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url=http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstract&ProduktNr=224153&ArtikelNr=72562 |
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|title=Design and Baseline Characteristics of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) Study |
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|journal=Cerebrovascular Diseases|year= 2003|volume=16|pages=389-395 |doi=10.1159/000072562|accessdate=2007-11-19}}</ref> |
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While the statin trials have all been clearly favorable for improved human outcomes, only ASTEROID showed evidence of atherosclerotic regression (slight). For both human and animal trials, those which have shown evidence of disease regression had all utilized more aggressive combination agent treatment strategies, nearly always including niacin.<ref name="Blankenhorn" /> |
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Besides the traditional diagnostic methods such as [[angiography]] and stress-testing, other detection techniques have been developed in the past decades for earlier detection of atherosclerotic disease. Some of the detection approaches include anatomical detection and physiologic measurement.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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===Diet and dietary supplements=== |
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Examples of anatomical detection methods include coronary calcium scoring by [[CT scan|CT]], carotid IMT ([[Intima-media thickness|intimal media thickness]]) measurement by ultrasound, and intravascular imaging techniques, such as [[intravascular ultrasound]] (IVUS), and [[intravascular optical coherence tomography]] (OCT),<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tearney |first1=Guillermo J. |last2=Regar |first2=Evelyn |last3=Akasaka |first3=Takashi |last4=Adriaenssens |first4=Tom |last5=Barlis |first5=Peter |last6=Bezerra |first6=Hiram G. |last7=Bouma |first7=Brett |last8=Bruining |first8=Nico |last9=Cho |first9=Jin-man |last10=Chowdhary |first10=Saqib |last11=Costa |first11=Marco A. |last12=de Silva |first12=Ranil |last13=Dijkstra |first13=Jouke |last14=Di Mario |first14=Carlo |last15=Dudeck |first15=Darius |date=2012-03-20 |title=Consensus Standards for Acquisition, Measurement, and Reporting of Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography Studies: A Report From the International Working Group for Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography Standardization and Validation |journal=Journal of the American College of Cardiology |volume=59 |issue=12 |pages=1058–1072 |doi=10.1016/j.jacc.2011.09.079 |pmid=22421299 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pereira |first1=Vitor M. |last2=Lylyk |first2=Pedro |last3=Cancelliere |first3=Nicole |last4=Lylyk |first4=Pedro N. |last5=Lylyk |first5=Ivan |last6=Anagnostakou |first6=Vania |last7=Bleise |first7=Carlos |last8=Nishi |first8=Hidehisa |last9=Epshtein |first9=Mark |last10=King |first10=Robert M. |last11=Shazeeb |first11=Mohammed Salman |last12=Puri |first12=Ajit S. |last13=Liang |first13=Conrad W. |last14=Hanel |first14=Ricardo A. |last15=Spears |first15=Julian |last16=Marotta |first16=Thomas R. |last17=Lopes |first17=Demetrius K. |last18=Gounis |first18=Matthew J. |last19=Ughi |first19=Giovanni J. |title=Volumetric microscopy of cerebral arteries with a miniaturized optical coherence tomography imaging probe |journal=Science Translational Medicine |date=15 May 2024 |volume=16 |issue=747 |pages=eadl4497 |doi=10.1126/scitranslmed.adl4497 |pmid=38748771 }}</ref> allowing direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaques. |
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Vitamin B3, AKA [[niacin]], in pharmacologic doses, (generally 1,000 to 3,000 mg/day), sold in many OTC and prescription formulations, tends to improve (a) HDL levels, size and function, (b) shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and (c) lower [[lipoprotein(a)]], an atheroslerosis promoting genetic variant of LDL. Additionally, individual responses to daily niacin, while mostly evident after a month at effective doses, tends to continue to slowly improve further over time. (However, careful patient understanding of how to achieve this without nuisance symptoms is needed, though not often achieved.) Research work on increasing HDL particle concentration and function, beyond the usual niacin effect/response, even more important, is slowly advancing. |
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Other methods include blood measurements, e.g., lipoprotein subclass analysis, [[Glycosylated hemoglobin|HbA1c]], [[C-reactive protein|hs-CRP]], and [[homocysteine]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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Dietary changes to achieve benefit have been more controversial, generally far less effective and less widely adhered to with success. One key reason for this is that most cholesterol, typically 80-90%, within the body is created and controlled by internal production by all cells in the body (true of all animals), with typically slightly greater relative production by hepatic/liver cells. (Cell structure relies on fat membranes to separate and organize intracellular water, proteins and nucleic acids and cholesterol is one of the components of all animal cell membranes.) |
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Both anatomic and physiologic methods allow early detection before symptoms show up, disease staging, and tracking of disease progression. |
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Caldwell B Esselstyn Jr. MD has had an article published in Preventive Cardiology 2001;4: 171-177 in which he has published angiograms showing regression of atherosclerosis brought about by a very low fat vegan diet in some cases with cholesterol lowering medications.<ref>http://www.heartattackproof.com/resolving_cade.htm Resolving the Coronary Artery Disease Epidemic through Plant-Based Nutrition Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., MD</ref> |
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In recent years, developments in [[Nuclear medicine|nuclear imaging]] techniques such as PET and SPECT have provided non-invasive ways of estimating the severity of atherosclerotic plaques.<ref name="CR118-4" /> |
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While the absolute production quantities vary with the individual, group averages for total human body content of cholesterol within the U.S. population commonly run about ~35,000 mg (assuming lean build; varies with body weight and build) and ~1,000 mg/day ongoing production. Dietary intake plays a smaller role, 200-300 mg/day being common values; for pure vegetarians, essentially 0 mg/day, but this typically does not change the situation very much because internal production increases to largely compensate for the reduced intake. For many, especially those with greater than optimal body mass and increased glucose levels, reducing carbohydrate (especially simple forms) intake, not fats or cholesterol, is often more effective for improving lipoprotein expression patterns, weight and blood glucose values. For this reason, medical authorities much less frequently promote the low dietary fat concepts than was commonly the case prior to about year 2005. However, evidence has increased that processed, particularly industrial non-enzymatic [[hydrogenation]] produced trans fats, as opposed to the natural [[cis]]-configured fats, which living cells primarily produce, is a significant health hazard. |
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==Prevention== |
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Dietary supplements of Omega-3 oils, especially those from the muscle of some deep salt water living fish species, also have clinical evidence of significant protective effects as confirmed by 6 [[double blind]] [[placebo]] [[scientific control|controlled]] human clinical trials. |
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Up to 90% of cardiovascular disease may be preventable if established risk factors are avoided.<ref name="McGillMcMahan2008">{{cite journal | vauthors = McGill HC, McMahan CA, Gidding SS | title = Preventing heart disease in the 21st century: implications of the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) study | journal = Circulation | volume = 117 | issue = 9 | pages = 1216–27 | date = March 2008 | pmid = 18316498 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.717033 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = McNeal CJ, Dajani T, Wilson D, Cassidy-Bushrow AE, Dickerson JB, Ory M | title = Hypercholesterolemia in youth: opportunities and obstacles to prevent premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease | journal = Current Atherosclerosis Reports | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 20–8 | date = January 2010 | pmid = 20425267 | doi = 10.1007/s11883-009-0072-0 }}</ref> Medical management of atherosclerosis first involves modification to risk factors–for example, via [[smoking cessation]] and diet restrictions. Prevention is generally by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a normal weight.<ref name=NIH2016Pre/> |
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===Diet=== |
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There is also a variety of evidence, though less robust, that [[homocysteine]] and [[uric acid]] levels, including within the normal range promote atherosclerosis and that lowering these levels is helpful, up to a point. |
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Changes in diet may help prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Tentative evidence suggests that a diet containing [[dairy product]]s has no effect on or decreases the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rice BH | title = Dairy and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of Recent Observational Research | journal = Current Nutrition Reports | volume = 3 | issue = 2 | pages = 130–138 | date = 2014 | pmid = 24818071 | pmc = 4006120 | doi = 10.1007/s13668-014-0076-4 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kratz M, Baars T, Guyenet S | title = The relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease | journal = European Journal of Nutrition | volume = 52 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–24 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 22810464 | doi = 10.1007/s00394-012-0418-1 }}</ref> |
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A diet high in fruits and vegetables decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang X, Ouyang Y, Liu J, Zhu M, Zhao G, Bao W, Hu FB | title = Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies | journal = BMJ | volume = 349 | pages = g4490 | date = July 2014 | pmid = 25073782 | pmc = 4115152 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.g4490 }}</ref> Evidence suggests that the [[Mediterranean diet]] may improve cardiovascular results.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Walker |first1=Christopher |last2=Reamy |first2=Brian V |title=Diets for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: What Is the Evidence? |journal=American Family Physician |volume=79 |issue=7 |date=April 2009 |pages=571–578 |id={{ProQuest|234120649}} |pmid=19378874 |url=https://www.aafp.org/link_out?pmid=19378874 }}</ref> There is also evidence that a Mediterranean diet may be better than a [[low-fat diet]] in bringing about long-term changes to cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., lower [[cholesterol level]] and [[blood pressure]]).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nordmann AJ, Suter-Zimmermann K, Bucher HC, Shai I, Tuttle KR, Estruch R, Briel M | title = Meta-analysis comparing Mediterranean to low-fat diets for modification of cardiovascular risk factors | journal = The American Journal of Medicine | volume = 124 | issue = 9 | pages = 841–51.e2 | date = September 2011 | pmid = 21854893 | doi = 10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.04.024 }}</ref> A 2024 review highlighted that bioactive compounds found in Mediterranean diet components (such as olive, grape, garlic, rosemary, and saffron) exhibit properties that may contribute to cardiovascular health and atherosclerosis prevention.<ref name="FBio-2024">{{cite journal |last1=Anguera-Tejedor |first1=Mateu |last2=Garrido |first2=Gabino |last3=Garrido-Suárez |first3=Bárbara B. |last4=Ardiles-Rivera |first4=Alejandro |last5=Bistué-Rovira |first5=Àngel |last6=Jiménez-Altayó |first6=Francesc |last7=Delgado-Hernández |first7=René |title=Exploring the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds from selected plant extracts of Mediterranean diet constituents for cardiovascular diseases: A review of mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, and adverse effects |journal=Food Bioscience |date=December 2024 |volume=62 |pages=105487 |doi=10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105487 }}</ref> |
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In animals [[Vitamin C]] deficiency has been confirmed as an important role in development of [[hypercholesterolemia]] and atherosclerosis, but due to ethical reasons placebo-controlled human studies are impossible to do.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ginter E |title=Chronic vitamin C deficiency increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases |journal=Bratisl Lek Listy |volume=108 |issue=9 |pages=417–21 |year=2007 |pmid=18225482 |doi=}}</ref> |
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[[Vitamin C]] acts as an [[antioxidant]] in vessels.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Böhm F, Settergren M, Pernow J |title=Vitamin C blocks vascular dysfunction and release of interleukin-6 induced by endothelin-1 in humans in vivo |journal=Atherosclerosis |volume=190 |issue=2 |pages=408–15 |year=2007 |pmid=16527283 |doi=10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.02.018}}</ref> |
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===Exercise=== |
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Trials on [[Vitamin E]] have been done, but they have failed to find a beneficial effect, for various reasons, but for some patients at high risk for atherosclerosis there may be some benefits.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Robinson I, de Serna DG, Gutierrez A, Schade DS |title=Vitamin E in humans: an explanation of clinical trial failure |journal=Endocr Pract |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=576–82 |year=2006 |pmid=17002935 |doi=}}</ref> |
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A controlled exercise program combats atherosclerosis by improving the circulation and functionality of the vessels. Exercise is also used to manage weight in patients who are obese, lower blood pressure, and decrease cholesterol. Often lifestyle modification is combined with medication therapy. For example, [[statin]]s help to lower cholesterol. Antiplatelet medications like [[aspirin]] help to prevent clots, and a variety of [[Antihypertensive drug|antihypertensive]] medications are routinely used to control blood pressure. If the combined efforts of risk factor modification and medication therapy are not sufficient to control symptoms or fight imminent threats of ischemic events, a physician may resort to interventional or surgical procedures to correct the obstruction.<ref>{{cite book |chapter= Cardiovascular, Circulatory, and Hematologic Function |pages=730–1047 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SB_-CRXvZPYC&pg=PA730 | veditors = Paul P, Williams B |title=Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Canadian Medical-surgical Nursing |date=2009 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn=978-0-7817-9989-8 }}</ref> |
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==Treatment== |
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Menaquinone ([[Vitamin K|Vitamin K2]]), but not phylloquinone ([[Vitamin K|Vitamin K1]]), intake is associated with reduced risk of CHD [[mortality]], all-cause [[mortality]] and severe aortic calcification.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, ''et al'' |title=Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study |journal=J. Nutr. |volume=134 |issue=11 |pages=3100–5 |year=2004 |pmid=15514282 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Erkkilä AT, Booth SL |title=Vitamin K intake and atherosclerosis |journal=Curr. Opin. Lipidol. |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=39–42 |year=2008 |pmid=18196985 |doi=10.1097/MOL.0b013e3282f1c57f}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Wallin R, Schurgers L, Wajih N |title=Effects of the blood coagulation vitamin K as an inhibitor of arterial calcification |journal=Thromb. Res. |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2008 |pmid=18234293 |doi=10.1016/j.thromres.2007.12.005}}</ref> |
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Treatment of established disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as [[statin]]s, [[blood pressure medication]], or medications that decrease clotting, such as [[aspirin]].<ref name=NIH2016Tx/> Many procedures may also be carried out such as [[percutaneous coronary intervention]], [[coronary artery bypass graft]], or [[carotid endarterectomy]].<ref name=NIH2016Tx/> |
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Medical treatments often focus on alleviating symptoms. However, measures that focus on decreasing underlying atherosclerosis—as opposed to simply treating symptoms—are more effective.<ref name="Fonarow, G 2003">{{cite journal | vauthors = Fonarow G | year = 2003 | title = Aggressive treatment of atherosclerosis: The time is now | journal = Cleve. Clin. J. Med. | volume = 70 | issue = 5| pages = 431–434 | doi=10.3949/ccjm.70.5.431| doi-broken-date = 4 December 2024 | pmid = 12785316 }}</ref> Non-pharmaceutical means are usually the first method of treatment, such as stopping smoking and practicing regular exercise.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ambrose JA, Barua RS | title = The pathophysiology of cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease: an update | journal = Journal of the American College of Cardiology | volume = 43 | issue = 10 | pages = 1731–7 | date = May 2004 | pmid = 15145091 | doi = 10.1016/j.jacc.2003.12.047 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pigozzi F, Rizzo M, Fagnani F, Parisi A, Spataro A, Casasco M, Borrione P | title = Endothelial (dys)function: the target of physical exercise for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease | journal = The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness | volume = 51 | issue = 2 | pages = 260–267 | date = June 2011 | pmid = 21681161 | url = http://www.minervamedica.it/index2.t?show=R40Y2011N02A0260 }}</ref> If these methods do not work, medicines are usually the next step in treating cardiovascular diseases and, with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Keshav Kumar |last2=Ali |first2=Shair |last3=Sanghera |first3=Ranjodh Singh |date=June 2019 |title=Pharmacological Options in Atherosclerosis: A Review of the Existing Evidence |journal=Cardiology and Therapy |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=5–20 |doi=10.1007/s40119-018-0123-0 |pmc=6525235 |pmid=30543029}}</ref> |
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It has been suggested that excess [[iron]] may be involved in development of atherosclerosis<ref name="pmid17259340">{{cite journal |author=Brewer GJ |title=Iron and copper toxicity in diseases of aging, particularly atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease |journal=Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood) |volume=232 |issue=2 |pages=323–35 |year=2007 |pmid=17259340 |doi=}}</ref><ref name="pmid17685184">{{cite journal |author=Sullivan JL, Mascitelli L |title=[Current status of the iron hypothesis of cardiovascular diseases] |language=Italian |journal=Recenti Prog Med |volume=98 |issue=7-8 |pages=373–7 |year=2007 |pmid=17685184 |doi=}}</ref>, but one study found reducing body iron stores in patients with symptomatic [[Peripheral_artery_occlusive_disease|peripheral artery disease]] through [[phlebotomy]] did not significantly decrease all-cause mortality or death plus nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke.<ref name="pmid17299195">{{cite journal |author=Zacharski LR, Chow BK, Howes PS, ''et al'' |title=Reduction of iron stores and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease: a randomized controlled trial |journal=JAMA |volume=297 |issue=6 |pages=603–10 |year=2007 |pmid=17299195 |doi=10.1001/jama.297.6.603}}</ref> Further studies may be warranted. |
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The key to the more effective approaches is to combine different treatment strategies.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Koh KK, Han SH, Oh PC, Shin EK, Quon MJ | title = Combination therapy for treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis: focus on the lipid-RAAS interaction | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 209 | issue = 2 | pages = 307–13 | date = April 2010 | pmid = 19800624 | pmc = 2962413 | doi = 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.09.007 }}</ref> In addition, for those approaches, such as lipoprotein transport behaviors, which have been shown to produce the most success, adopting more aggressive combination treatment strategies taken daily and indefinitely has generally produced better results, both before and especially after people are symptomatic.<ref name="Fonarow, G 2003"/> |
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===Surgical intervention=== |
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Other physical treatments, helpful in the short term, include minimally invasive [[angioplasty]] procedures to physically expand narrowed arteries and major invasive surgery, such as [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|bypass surgery]], to create additional blood supply connections that go around the more severely narrowed areas. |
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=== |
===Statins=== |
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[[Statin]] medications are widely prescribed for treating atherosclerosis. They have shown benefit in reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality in those with [[high cholesterol]] with few side effects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Fiona |last2=Huffman |first2=Mark D |last3=Macedo |first3=Ana Filipa |last4=Moore |first4=Theresa HM |last5=Burke |first5=Margaret |last6=Davey Smith |first6=George |last7=Ward |first7=Kirsten |last8=Ebrahim |first8=Shah |last9=Gay |first9=Hawkins C |title=Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |date=31 January 2013 |volume=2021 |issue=9 |pages=CD004816 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004816.pub5 |pmid=23440795 |pmc=6481400 }}</ref> Secondary prevention therapy, which includes high-intensity statins and aspirin, is recommended by multi-society guidelines for all patients with a history of ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) to prevent the recurrence of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, or peripheral arterial disease.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Virani SS, Smith SC, Stone NJ, Grundy SM | title = Secondary Prevention for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Comparing Recent US and European Guidelines on Dyslipidemia | journal = Circulation | volume = 141 | issue = 14 | pages = 1121–1123 | date = April 2020 | pmid = 32250694 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044282 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Grundy |first1=Scott M. |last2=Stone |first2=Neil J. |last3=Bailey |first3=Alison L. |last4=Beam |first4=Craig |last5=Birtcher |first5=Kim K. |last6=Blumenthal |first6=Roger S. |last7=Braun |first7=Lynne T. |last8=de Ferranti |first8=Sarah |last9=Faiella-Tommasino |first9=Joseph |last10=Forman |first10=Daniel E. |last11=Goldberg |first11=Ronald |last12=Heidenreich |first12=Paul A. |last13=Hlatky |first13=Mark A. |last14=Jones |first14=Daniel W. |last15=Lloyd-Jones |first15=Donald |last16=Lopez-Pajares |first16=Nuria |last17=Ndumele |first17=Chiadi E. |last18=Orringer |first18=Carl E. |last19=Peralta |first19=Carmen A. |last20=Saseen |first20=Joseph J. |last21=Smith |first21=Sidney C. |last22=Sperling |first22=Laurence |last23=Virani |first23=Salim S. |last24=Yeboah |first24=Joseph |title=2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol |journal=Journal of the American College of Cardiology |date=June 2019 |volume=73 |issue=24 |pages=e285–e350 |doi=10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.003 |pmid=30423393 |hdl=20.500.12749/1738 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> However, prescription of and adherence to these guideline-concordant therapies is lacking, particularly among young patients and women.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nanna MG, Wang TY, Xiang Q, Goldberg AC, Robinson JG, Roger VL, Virani SS, Wilson PW, Louie MJ, Koren A, Li Z, Peterson ED, Navar AM | display-authors = 6 | title = Sex Differences in the Use of Statins in Community Practice | journal = Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes | volume = 12 | issue = 8 | pages = e005562 | date = August 2019 | pmid = 31416347 | pmc = 6903404 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.118.005562 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lee MT, Mahtta D, Ramsey DJ, Liu J, Misra A, Nasir K, Samad Z, Itchhaporia D, Khan SU, Schofield RS, Ballantyne CM, Petersen LA, Virani SS | display-authors = 6 | title = Sex-Related Disparities in Cardiovascular Health Care Among Patients With Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease | journal = JAMA Cardiology | volume = 6 | issue = 7 | pages = 782–790 | date = July 2021 | pmid = 33881448 | pmc = 8060887 | doi = 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.0683 }}</ref> |
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Patients at risk for atherosclerosis-related diseases are increasingly being treated [[prophylaxis|prophylactically]] with low-dose [[aspirin]] and a [[statin]]. The high incidence of cardiovascular disease led Wald and Law<ref name="Polypill">Wald NJ, Law MR. A strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 80%. ''[[British Medical Journal|BMJ]]'' 2003;326:1419. PMID.</ref> to propose a ''[[Polypill]]'', a once-daily pill containing these two types of drugs in addition to an [[ACE inhibitor]], [[diuretic]], [[beta blocker]], and [[folic acid]]. They maintain that high uptake by the general population by such a ''Polypill'' would reduce cardiovascular mortality by 80%. It must be emphasized however that this is purely theoretical, as the Polypill has never been tested in a clinical trial. |
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[[Statin]]s work by inhibiting HMG-CoA (hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A) reductase, a hepatic rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol's biochemical production pathway. Inhibiting this rate-limiting enzyme reduces the body's ability to produce as much cholesterol endogenously, thereby reducing the level of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. This reduced endogenous cholesterol production triggers the body to then pull cholesterol from other cellular sources, enhancing serum HDL-cholesterol.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} These data are primarily in middle-aged men and the conclusions are less clear for women and people over the age of 70.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Vos E, Rose CP | title = Questioning the benefits of statins | journal = CMAJ | volume = 173 | issue = 10 | pages = 1207; author reply 1210 | date = November 2005 | pmid = 16275976 | pmc = 1277053 | doi = 10.1503/cmaj.1050120 }}</ref> |
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Medical treatments often focus predominantly on the symptoms. However, over time, the treatments which focus on decreasing the underlying atherosclerosis processes, as opposed to simply treating the symptoms resulting from the atherosclerosis, have been shown by clinical trials to be more effective. |
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===Surgery=== |
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In summary, the key to the more effective approaches has been better understanding of the widespread and insidious nature of the disease and to combine multiple different treatment strategies, not rely on just one or a few approaches. In addition, for those approaches, such as lipoprotein transport behaviors, which have been shown to produce the most success, adopting more aggressive combination treatment strategies has generally produced better results, both before and especially after people are symptomatic. However, treating asymptomatic people remains controversial in the medical community. |
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When atherosclerosis has become severe and caused irreversible [[ischemia]], such as [[tissue loss]] in the case of [[peripheral artery disease]], surgery may be indicated. [[Vascular bypass|Vascular bypass surgery]] can re-establish flow around the diseased segment of the artery, and [[angioplasty]] with or without [[stent]]ing can reopen narrowed arteries and improve blood flow. [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|Coronary artery bypass grafting]] without manipulation of the ascending aorta has demonstrated reduced rates of postoperative stroke and mortality compared to traditional on-pump coronary revascularization.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhao DF, Edelman JJ, Seco M, Bannon PG, Wilson MK, Byrom MJ, Thourani V, Lamy A, Taggart DP, Puskas JD, Vallely MP | title = Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With and Without Manipulation of the Ascending Aorta: A Network Meta-Analysis | journal = Journal of the American College of Cardiology | volume = 69 | issue = 8 | pages = 924–936 | date = February 2017 | pmid = 28231944 | doi = 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.11.071 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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===Other=== |
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== Recent research == |
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There is evidence that some [[anticoagulant]]s, particularly [[warfarin]], which inhibit clot formation by interfering with [[Vitamin K]] metabolism, may promote arterial calcification in the long term despite reducing clot formation in the short term.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Vlasschaert C, Goss CJ, Pilkey NG, McKeown S, Holden RM | title = Vitamin K Supplementation for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Where Is the Evidence? A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials | journal = Nutrients | volume = 12 | issue = 10 | pages = 2909 | date = September 2020 | pmid = 32977548 | pmc = 7598164 | doi = 10.3390/nu12102909 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Price PA, Faus SA, Williamson MK | title = Warfarin-induced artery calcification is accelerated by growth and vitamin D | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 20 | issue = 2 | pages = 317–327 | date = February 2000 | pmid = 10669626 | doi = 10.1161/01.ATV.20.2.317 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, Schurgers LJ, Knapen MH, van der Meer IM, Hofman A, Witteman JC | display-authors = 6 | title = Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 134 | issue = 11 | pages = 3100–3105 | date = November 2004 | pmid = 15514282 | doi = 10.1093/jn/134.11.3100 | doi-access = free | hdl = 1765/10366 | hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminK/ |title=Vitamin K |publisher=Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University |access-date=2010-03-25 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100407093811/http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminK/| archive-date= 7 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2021}} Also, small molecules such as [[3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde|3-hydroxybenzaldehyde]] and [[protocatechuic aldehyde]] have shown vasculoprotective effects to reduce risk of atherosclerosis.<ref name="pmid25411835">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kong BS, Cho YH, Lee EJ | title = G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 is involved in the protective effect of protocatechuic aldehyde against endothelial dysfunction | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 9 | issue = 11 | pages = e113242 | date = 2014 | pmid = 25411835 | pmc = 4239058 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0113242 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2014PLoSO...9k3242K }}</ref><ref name="pmid27002821">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kong BS, Im SJ, Lee YJ, Cho YH, Do YR, Byun JW, Ku CR, Lee EJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Vasculoprotective Effects of 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde against VSMCs Proliferation and ECs Inflammation | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = e0149394 | date = 2016 | pmid = 27002821 | pmc = 4803227 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0149394 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2016PLoSO..1149394K }}</ref> |
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An indication of the role of HDL on atherosclerosis has been with the rare Apo-A1 Milano human genetic variant of this HDL protein. A small short-term trial using bacterial synthetized human [[ApoA-1 Milano|Apo-A1 Milano]] HDL in people with unstable angina produced fairly dramatic reduction in measured coronary plaque volume in only 6 weeks vs. the usual increase in plaque volume in those randomized to placebo. The trial was published in JAMA in early 2006. Ongoing work starting in the 1990s may lead to human clinical trials—probably by about 2008. These may use synthesized Apo-A1 Milano HDL directly. Or they may use gene-transfer methods to pass the ability to synthesize the Apo-A1 Milano HDLipoprotein. |
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==Epidemiology== |
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Methods to increase [[high-density lipoprotein]] (HDL) particle concentrations, which in some animal studies largely reverses and remove atheromas, are being developed and researched. |
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Cardiovascular disease, which is predominantly the clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death|title=The top 10 causes of death|website=www.who.int|language=en|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref> |
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Almost all children older than age 10 in [[Developed country|developed countries]] have [[Aorta|aortic]] fatty streaks, with [[Coronary circulation|coronary]] fatty streaks beginning in [[adolescence]].<ref name="Robbins">Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson; & Mitchell, Richard N. (2007). ''Robbins Basic Pathology'' (8th ed.). Saunders Elsevier. pp. 348-351 {{ISBN|978-1-4160-2973-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Strong |first1=J. P. |last2=McGill |first2=H. C. |date=1969-05-06 |title=The pediatric aspects of atherosclerosis |journal=Journal of Atherosclerosis Research |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=251–265 |doi=10.1016/S0368-1319(69)80020-7 |pmid=5346899 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zieske |first1=Arthur W. |last2=Malcom |first2=Gray T. |last3=Strong |first3=Jack P. |date=January 2002 |title=Natural history and risk factors of atherosclerosis in children and youth: The PDAY study |journal=Pediatric Pathology & Molecular Medicine |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=213–237 |doi=10.1080/pdp.21.2.213.237 |pmid=11942537 }}</ref> |
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[[Niacin]] has HDL raising effects (by 10 - 30%) and showed clinical trial benefit in the Coronary Drug Project and is commonly used in combination with other lipoprotein agents to improve efficacy of changing lipoprotein for the better. However most individuals have nuisance symptoms with short term flushing reactions, especially initially, and so working with a physician with a history of successful experience with niacin implementation, careful selection of brand, dosing strategy, etc. are usually critical to success. |
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In 1953, a study was published that examined the results of 300 autopsies performed on U.S. soldiers who had died in the [[Korean War]]. Despite the average age of the soldiers being just 22 years old, 77% of them had visible signs of coronary atherosclerosis. This study showed that heart disease could affect people at a younger age and was not just a problem for older individuals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Enos |first1=William F. |title=CORONARY DISEASE AMONG UNITED STATES SOLDIERS KILLED IN ACTION IN KOREA: PRELIMINARY REPORT |journal=Journal of the American Medical Association |date=18 July 1953 |volume=152 |issue=12 |pages=1090–1093 |doi=10.1001/jama.1953.03690120006002 |pmid=13052433 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Stopping Heart Disease in Childhood |url=https://nutritionfacts.org/2014/07/15/stopping-heart-disease-in-childhood/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=NutritionFacts.org |date=15 July 2014 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Don P. |title=Endotext |date=2000 |publisher=MDText.com, Inc. |chapter-url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK395576/ |chapter=Is Atherosclerosis a Pediatric Disease? |pmid=27809437 }}</ref> |
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However, increasing HDL by any means is not necessary helpful. For example, the drug [[torcetrapib]] is the most effective agent currently known for raising HDL (by up to 60%). However, it clinical trials also raised deaths by 60%. All studies regarding this drug were halted in December 2006.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Barter M.D. Ph.D. |first=Philip J. |coauthors=Mark Caulfield, M.D., M.B., B.S., Mats Eriksson, M.D., Ph.D., Scott M. Grundy, M.D., Ph.D., John J.P. Kastelein, M.D., Ph.D., Michel Komajda, M.D., Jose Lopez-Sendon, M.D., Ph.D., Lori Mosca, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., Jean-Claude Tardif, M.D., David D. Waters, M.D., Charles L. Shear, Dr.P.H., James H. Revkin, M.D., Kevin A. Buhr, Ph.D., Marian R. Fisher, Ph.D., Alan R. Tall, M.B., B.S., Bryan Brewer, M.D., Ph.D. |year=2007 |month=November |title=Effects of Torcetrapib in Patients at High Risk for Coronary Events |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |pmid=17984165 |url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0706628 |accessdate= 2007-11-13}}</ref> |
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In 1992, a report showed that microscopic fatty streaks were seen in the [[left anterior descending artery]] in over 50% of children aged 10–14 and 8% had even more advanced lesions with more accumulations of extracellular lipid.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Strong |first1=Jack P. |last2=Malcom |first2=Gray T. |last3=Newman |first3=William P. |last4=Oalmann |first4=Margaret C. |title=Early Lesions of Atherosclerosis in Childhood and Youth: Natural History and Risk Factors |journal=Journal of the American College of Nutrition |date=June 1992 |volume=11 |issue=sup1 |pages=51S–54S |doi=10.1080/07315724.1992.10737984 |pmid=1619200 }}</ref> |
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The ERASE trial is a newer trial of an HDL booster which has shown promise.<ref name=Hughes>{{cite web |
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|publisher = HeartWire |
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|title=ERASE: New HDL mimetic shows promise |
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|year=March 26, 2007 |
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|author=Sue Hughes |
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|url=http://www.theheart.org/article/779839.do}}</ref> |
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A 2005 report of a study done between 1985 and 1995 found that around 87% of aortas and 30% of coronary arteries in the age group 5–14 years had fatty streaks which increased with age.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mendis |first1=Shanthi |last2=Nordet |first2=P. |last3=Fernandez-Britto |first3=J.E. |last4=Sternby |first4=N. |title=Atherosclerosis in children and young adults: An overview of the World Health Organization and International Society and Federation of Cardiology study on Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth study (1985–1995) |journal=Global Heart |date=March 2005 |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=3 |doi=10.1016/j.precon.2005.02.010 |doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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The ASTEROID trial used a high-dose of [[rosuvastatin]]—the statin with typically the most potent dose/response correlation track record (both for LDLipoproteins and HDLipoproteins.) |
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It found plaque (intima + media volume) reduction.<ref name=Nissen /> |
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Several additional rosuvastatin treatment/placebo trials for evaluating other clinical outcomes are in progress. |
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== Etymology == |
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The actions of macrophages drive atherosclerotic plaque progression. |
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The following terms are similar, yet distinct, in both spelling and meaning, and can be easily confused: [[arteriosclerosis]], [[arteriolosclerosis]], and atherosclerosis. ''Arteriosclerosis'' is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries ({{ety|gre|''ἀρτηρία'' (artēria)|artery||''σκλήρωσις'' ([[wikt:sclerosis|sklerosis]])|hardening}}); ''arteriolosclerosis'' is any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of [[arteriole]]s (small arteries); ''atherosclerosis'' is a hardening of an artery specifically due to an [[Atheroma|atheromatous plaque]] ({{ety|grc| ''ἀθήρα'' (athḗra)|gruel}}). The term ''atherogenic'' is used for substances or processes that cause the formation of [[atheroma]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Atherogenic | url = https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atherogenic | work = Merriam-Webster Dictionary }}</ref> |
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''Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis'' is the term for techniques which modulate immune system function in order to suppress this macrophage action.<ref name=Nilsson>{{cite journal |
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|title= Immunomodulation of Atherosclerosis – Implications for Vaccine Development—ATVB In Focus |
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|author =Jan Nilsson; Göran K. Hansson; Prediman K. Shah |
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|doi = 10.1161/01.ATV.0000149142.42590.a2 |
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|url=http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/atvbaha;25/1/18 |
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|journal= Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology|year= 2005|volume= 5|pages=18-28 |
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|accessdate=2007-11-13}}</ref> |
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Immunomodulation has been pursued with considerable success in both mice and rabbits since about 2002. |
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Plans for human trials, hoped for by about 2008, are in progress. |
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==Economics== |
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Research on genetic expression and control mechanisms is progressing. Topics include |
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In 2011, coronary atherosclerosis was one of the top ten most expensive conditions seen during inpatient hospitalizations in the US, with aggregate inpatient hospital costs of $10.4 billion.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Pfuntner A, Wier LM, Steiner C | title = Costs for Hospital Stays in the United States, 2011. | journal =HCUP Statistical Brief |issue=168 | publisher = Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality | location = Rockville, MD | date = December 2013 | pmid = 24455786 | url = http://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb168-Hospital-Costs-United-States-2011.jsp }}</ref> |
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*[[Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors| PPAR]], known to be important in blood sugar and variants of lipoprotein production and function; |
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*The multiple variants of the proteins that form the lipoprotein transport particles. |
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== Research == |
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Some controversial research has suggested a link between atherosclerosis and the presence of several different [[nanobacterium|nanobacteria]] in the arteries, e.g., [[Chlamydophila pneumoniae]], though trials of current antibiotic treatments known to be usually effective in suppressing growth or killing these bacteria have not been successful in improving outcomes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/dspace/bitstream/1887/9729/11/01.pdf |
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===Lipids=== |
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|publisher= The digital repository of Leiden University |
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An indication of the role of [[high-density lipoprotein]] (HDL) on atherosclerosis has been with the rare [[ApoA-1 Milano|Apo-A1 Milano]] human genetic variant of this [[High-density lipoprotein|HDL]] protein. A small short-term trial using bacterial synthesized human [[ApoA-1 Milano|Apo-A1 Milano]] HDL in people with unstable angina produced a fairly dramatic reduction in measured coronary plaque volume in only six weeks vs. the usual increase in plaque volume in those randomized to placebo. The trial was published in ''[[JAMA]]'' in early 2006.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}} Ongoing work starting in the 1990s may lead to human clinical trials—probably by about 2008.{{update inline|date=June 2014}} These may use synthesized Apo-A1 Milano HDL directly, or they may use gene-transfer methods to pass the ability to synthesize the Apo-A1 Milano HDLipoprotein.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}} |
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|title= Lipids, inflammation and atherosclerosis |
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|author=M Stitzinger |year=2007 |
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|accessdate=2007-11-02 |format= pdf|work=|quote= Results of clinical trials investigating anti-chlamydial antibiotics as an |
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addition to standard therapy in patients with coronary artery disease have |
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been inconsistent. Therefore, Andraws et al. conducted a meta- |
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analysis of these clinical trials and found that evidence available to date |
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does not demonstrate an overall benefit of antibiotic therapy in reducing |
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mortality or cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery |
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disease.}}</ref> |
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Methods to increase HDL particle concentrations, which in some animal studies largely reverses and removes atheromas, are being developed and researched.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}} However, increasing HDL by any means is not necessarily helpful. For example, the drug [[torcetrapib]] is the most effective agent currently known for raising HDL (by up to 60%). However, in clinical trials, it also raised deaths by 60%. All studies regarding this drug were halted in December 2006.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Barter PJ, Caulfield M, Eriksson M, Grundy SM, Kastelein JJ, Komajda M, Lopez-Sendon J, Mosca L, Tardif JC, Waters DD, Shear CL, Revkin JH, Buhr KA, Fisher MR, Tall AR, Brewer B | title = Effects of torcetrapib in patients at high risk for coronary events | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 357 | issue = 21 | pages = 2109–22 | date = November 2007 | pmid = 17984165 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa0706628 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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The immunomodulation approaches mentioned above, because they deal with innate responses of the host to promote atherosclerosis, have far greater prospects for success. |
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The actions of [[macrophage]]s drive atherosclerotic plaque progression. |
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==References== |
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''Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis'' is the term for techniques that modulate immune system function to suppress this macrophage action.<ref name=Nilsson>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nilsson J, Hansson GK, Shah PK | title = Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis: implications for vaccine development | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 25 | issue = 1 | pages = 18–28 | date = January 2005 | pmid = 15514204 | doi = 10.1161/01.ATV.0000149142.42590.a2 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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Involvement of [[lipid peroxidation]] chain reaction in atherogenesis<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Spiteller G | title = The relation of lipid peroxidation processes with atherogenesis: a new theory on atherogenesis | journal = Molecular Nutrition & Food Research | volume = 49 | issue = 11 | pages = 999–1013 | date = November 2005 | pmid = 16270286 | doi = 10.1002/mnfr.200500055 }}</ref> triggered research on the protective role of the heavy isotope ([[Deuterated drug|deuterated]]) [[polyunsaturated fatty acid]]s (D-PUFAs) that are less prone to oxidation than ordinary PUFAs (H-PUFAs). PUFAs are [[essential nutrients]] – they are involved in metabolism in that very form as they are consumed with food. In [[transgenic mice]], that are a model for human-like lipoprotein metabolism, adding D-PUFAs to diet indeed reduced body weight gain, improved cholesterol handling and reduced atherosclerotic damage to the aorta.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Berbée JF, Mol IM, Milne GL, Pollock E, Hoeke G, Lütjohann D, Monaco C, Rensen PC, van der Ploeg LH, Shchepinov MS | title = Deuterium-reinforced polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against atherosclerosis by lowering lipid peroxidation and hypercholesterolemia | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 264 | pages = 100–107 | date = September 2017 | pmid = 28655430 | doi = 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.06.916 | url = https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:378458c5-65e0-4891-bb60-cc458455b81b }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Tsikas D | title = Combating atherosclerosis with heavy PUFAs: Deuteron not proton is the first | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 264 | pages = 79–82 | date = September 2017 | pmid = 28756876 | doi = 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.07.018 }}</ref> |
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===General references=== |
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*{{cite journal |
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|author=Stevens RJ, Douglas KM, Saratzis AN, Kitas GD |
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|title=Inflammation and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis |
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|journal=Expert reviews in molecular medicine |
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|volume=7 |
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|issue=7 |
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|pages=1–24 |
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|year=2005 |
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|pmid=15876361 |
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|doi=10.1017/S1462399405009154 |
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|accessdate=2007-11-02 |
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}} |
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*{{cite book|author=Mol, A |year=2002 |title=The Body Multiple: Ontology in medical practice |
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|location=London|publisher=Duke University Press}} |
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== |
===miRNA=== |
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[[MicroRNA]]s (miRNAs) have complementary sequences in the [[3' UTR]] and [[5' UTR]] of target mRNAs of protein-coding genes, and cause mRNA cleavage or repression of translational machinery. In diseased vascular vessels, miRNAs are dysregulated and highly expressed. [[miR-33]] is found in cardiovascular diseases.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chen WJ, Yin K, Zhao GJ, Fu YC, Tang CK | title = The magic and mystery of microRNA-27 in atherosclerosis | journal = Atherosclerosis | volume = 222 | issue = 2 | pages = 314–23 | date = June 2012 | pmid = 22307089 | doi = 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.01.020 }}</ref> It is involved in atherosclerotic initiation and progression including [[lipid metabolism]], [[Insulin signal transduction pathway|insulin signaling]] and [[Blood sugar regulation|glucose homeostatis]], cell type progression and proliferation, and [[Myelocyte|myeloid cell]] differentiation. It was found in rodents that the inhibition of [[miR-33]] will raise HDL-C levels and the expression of miR-33 is down-regulated in humans with atherosclerotic plaques.<ref name="pmid22488426">{{cite journal | vauthors = Sacco J, Adeli K | title = MicroRNAs: emerging roles in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism | journal = Current Opinion in Lipidology | volume = 23 | issue = 3 | pages = 220–5 | date = June 2012 | pmid = 22488426 | doi = 10.1097/MOL.0b013e3283534c9f }}</ref><ref name="pmid21356514">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bommer GT, MacDougald OA | title = Regulation of lipid homeostasis by the bifunctional SREBF2-miR33a locus | journal = Cell Metabolism | volume = 13 | issue = 3 | pages = 241–7 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21356514 | pmc = 3062104 | doi = 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.02.004 }}</ref><ref name="pmid21646721">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rayner KJ, Sheedy FJ, Esau CC, Hussain FN, Temel RE, Parathath S, van Gils JM, Rayner AJ, Chang AN, Suarez Y, Fernandez-Hernando C, Fisher EA, Moore KJ | title = Antagonism of miR-33 in mice promotes reverse cholesterol transport and regression of atherosclerosis | journal = The Journal of Clinical Investigation | volume = 121 | issue = 7 | pages = 2921–31 | date = July 2011 | pmid = 21646721 | pmc = 3223840 | doi = 10.1172/JCI57275 }}</ref> |
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* [http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Coronary%20ATS.html Atlas of Pathology] |
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* [http://www.athero.org/ International Atherosclerosis Society] |
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miR-33a and miR-33b are located on [[intron]] 16 of human sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 ([[Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2|SREBP2]]) gene on [[chromosome 22]] and intron 17 of [[Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1|SREBP1]] gene on chromosome 17.<ref name="pmid22395363">{{cite journal | vauthors = Iwakiri Y | title = A role of miR-33 for cell cycle progression and cell proliferation | journal = Cell Cycle | volume = 11 | issue = 6 | pages = 1057–8 | date = March 2012 | pmid = 22395363 | doi = 10.4161/cc.11.6.19744 | doi-access = free }}</ref> miR-33a/b regulates cholesterol/lipid homeostasis by binding in the [[Three prime untranslated region|3'UTRs]] of genes involved in cholesterol transport such as [[ATP-binding cassette transporter|ATP binding cassette]] (ABC) transporters and enhance or represses its expression. Studies have shown that [[ABCA1]] mediates cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to Apolipoprotein-1. It is also important in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, where cholesterol is delivered from peripheral tissue to the liver, where it can be excreted into [[bile]] or converted to [[bile acid]]s before excretion.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Therefore, ABCA1 prevents cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. By enhancing miR-33 function, the level of ABCA1 is decreased, leading to decreased cellular cholesterol efflux to apoA-1. On the other hand, by inhibiting miR-33 function, the level of ABCA1 is increased and increases the cholesterol efflux to [[Apolipoprotein A1|apoA-1]]. Suppression of miR-33 will lead to less cellular cholesterol and higher plasma HDL level through the regulation of ABCA1 expression.<ref name="pmid16728652">{{cite journal | vauthors = Singaraja RR, Stahmer B, Brundert M, Merkel M, Heeren J, Bissada N, Kang M, Timmins JM, Ramakrishnan R, Parks JS, Hayden MR, Rinninger F | title = Hepatic ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 is a key molecule in high-density lipoprotein cholesteryl ester metabolism in mice | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 26 | issue = 8 | pages = 1821–7 | date = August 2006 | pmid = 16728652 | doi = 10.1161/01.ATV.0000229219.13757.a2 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> |
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*[[Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis]] |
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*[[Artery]] |
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*[[Atheroma]] |
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*[[Fatty streaks]] |
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*[[Heart]] |
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*[[Coronary circulation]] |
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*[[Coronary catheterization]] |
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*[[Angiogram]] |
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*[[IVUS]] |
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*[[Arterial stiffness]] |
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</div> |
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The sugar, [[cyclodextrin]], removed cholesterol that had built up in the arteries of mice fed a high-fat diet.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zimmer S, Grebe A, Bakke SS, Bode N, Halvorsen B, Ulas T, Skjelland M, De Nardo D, Labzin LI, Kerksiek A, Hempel C, Heneka MT, Hawxhurst V, Fitzgerald ML, Trebicka J, Björkhem I, Gustafsson JÅ, Westerterp M, Tall AR, Wright SD, Espevik T, Schultze JL, Nickenig G, Lütjohann D, Latz E | title = Cyclodextrin promotes atherosclerosis regression via macrophage reprogramming | journal = Science Translational Medicine | volume = 8 | issue = 333 | pages = 333ra50 | date = April 2016 | pmid = 27053774 | pmc = 4878149 | doi = 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad6100 }} |
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{{Circulatory system pathology}} |
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* {{lay source |template=cite news|vauthors = Hesman Saey T|url= https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sugar-can-melt-away-cholesterol|title = A sugar can melt away cholesterol|date = April 8, 2016|website = Science News.org }}</ref> |
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===DNA damage=== |
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[[Aging]] is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular problems. The causative basis by which aging mediates its impact, independently of other recognized risk factors, remains to be determined. Evidence has been reviewed for a key role of [[DNA damage (naturally occurring)|DNA damage]] in vascular aging.<ref name="pmid23953979">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wu H, Roks AJ | title = Genomic instability and vascular aging: a focus on nucleotide excision repair | journal = Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine | volume = 24 | issue = 2 | pages = 61–8 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 23953979 | doi = 10.1016/j.tcm.2013.06.005 }}</ref><ref name="pmid27213333">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bautista-Niño PK, Portilla-Fernandez E, Vaughan DE, Danser AH, Roks AJ | title = DNA Damage: A Main Determinant of Vascular Aging | journal = International Journal of Molecular Sciences | volume = 17 | issue = 5 | pages = 748 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 27213333 | pmc = 4881569 | doi = 10.3390/ijms17050748 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid28347738">{{cite journal | vauthors = Shah AV, Bennett MR | title = DNA damage-dependent mechanisms of ageing and disease in the macro- and microvasculature | journal = European Journal of Pharmacology | volume = 816 | pages = 116–128 | date = December 2017 | pmid = 28347738 | doi = 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.03.050 | url = https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/264776 }}</ref> |
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[[8-Oxoguanine|8-oxoG]], a common type of oxidative damage in [[DNA]], is found to accumulate in plaque [[vascular smooth muscle]] cells, [[macrophage]]s and [[endothelium|endothelial cells]],<ref name="pmid12186795">{{cite journal | vauthors = Martinet W, Knaapen MW, De Meyer GR, Herman AG, Kockx MM | title = Elevated levels of oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair enzymes in human atherosclerotic plaques | journal = Circulation | volume = 106 | issue = 8 | pages = 927–32 | date = August 2002 | pmid = 12186795 | doi = 10.1161/01.cir.0000026393.47805.21 | doi-access = free }}</ref> thus linking DNA damage to plaque formation. DNA strand breaks also increased in atherosclerotic plaques.<ref name="pmid12186795" /> [[Werner syndrome]] (WS) is a premature aging condition in humans.<ref name="pmid24334614">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ishida T, Ishida M, Tashiro S, Yoshizumi M, Kihara Y | title = Role of DNA damage in cardiovascular disease | journal = Circulation Journal | volume = 78 | issue = 1 | pages = 42–50 | year = 2014 | pmid = 24334614 | doi = 10.1253/circj.CJ-13-1194| doi-access = free }}</ref> WS is caused by a genetic defect in a [[RecQ helicase]] that is employed in several [[DNA repair|repair processes that remove damages from DNA]]. WS patients develop a considerable burden of atherosclerotic plaques in their [[Coronary circulation|coronary arteries]] and [[aorta]]: calcification of the aortic valve is also frequently observed.<ref name="pmid27213333" /> These findings link excessive unrepaired DNA damage to premature aging and early atherosclerotic plaque development (see [[DNA damage theory of aging]]).{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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===Microorganisms=== |
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The [[human microbiota|microbiota]] – all the [[microorganism]]s in the body, can contribute to atherosclerosis in many ways: modulation of the [[immune system]], changes in [[metabolism]], processing of nutrients and production of certain metabolites that can get into blood circulation.<ref name="nature.com">{{cite journal | vauthors = Barrington WT, Lusis AJ | title = Atherosclerosis: Association between the gut microbiome and atherosclerosis | journal = Nature Reviews. Cardiology | volume = 14 | issue = 12 | pages = 699–700 | date = December 2017 | pmid = 29099096 | pmc = 5815826 | doi = 10.1038/nrcardio.2017.169 }}</ref> One such metabolite, produced by [[gut flora|gut bacteria]], is [[trimethylamine N-oxide]] (TMAO). Its levels have been associated with atherosclerosis in human studies and animal research suggests that may be a causal relation. An association between the bacterial genes encoding trimethylamine lyases — the [[enzyme]]s involved in TMAO generation — and atherosclerosis has been noted.<ref name="pmid29018189">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jie Z, Xia H, Zhong SL, Feng Q, Li S, Liang S, Zhong H, Liu Z, Gao Y, Zhao H, Zhang D, Su Z, Fang Z, Lan Z, Li J, Xiao L, Li J, Li R, Li X, Li F, Ren H, Huang Y, Peng Y, Li G, Wen B, Dong B, Chen JY, Geng QS, Zhang ZW, Yang H, Wang J, Wang J, Zhang X, Madsen L, Brix S, Ning G, Xu X, Liu X, Hou Y, Jia H, He K, Kristiansen K | display-authors = 6 | title = The gut microbiome in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease | journal = Nature Communications | volume = 8 | issue = 1 | pages = 845 | date = October 2017 | pmid = 29018189 | pmc = 5635030 | doi = 10.1038/s41467-017-00900-1 | bibcode = 2017NatCo...8..845J }}</ref><ref name="nature.com"/> |
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=== Vascular smooth muscle cells === |
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[[Vascular smooth muscle|Vascular smooth muscle cells]] play a key role in atherogenesis and were historically considered to be beneficial for plaque stability by forming a protective fibrous cap and synthesizing strength-giving [[extracellular matrix]] components.<ref name="Harman & Jørgensen 2019">{{cite journal | vauthors = Harman JL, Jørgensen HF | title = The role of smooth muscle cells in plaque stability: Therapeutic targeting potential | journal = British Journal of Pharmacology | volume = 176 | issue = 19 | pages = 3741–3753 | date = October 2019 | pmid = 31254285 | pmc = 6780045 | doi = 10.1111/bph.14779 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bennett MR, Sinha S, Owens GK | title = Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis | journal = Circulation Research | volume = 118 | issue = 4 | pages = 692–702 | date = February 2016 | pmid = 26892967 | pmc = 4762053 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306361 }}</ref> However, in addition to the fibrous cap, vascular smooth muscle cells also give rise to many of the cell types found within the plaque core and can modulate their phenotype to both promote and reduce plaque stability.<ref name="Harman & Jørgensen 2019" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gomez D, Shankman LS, Nguyen AT, Owens GK | title = Detection of histone modifications at specific gene loci in single cells in histological sections | journal = Nature Methods | volume = 10 | issue = 2 | pages = 171–177 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 23314172 | pmc = 3560316 | doi = 10.1038/nmeth.2332 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang Y, Dubland JA, Allahverdian S, Asonye E, Sahin B, Jaw JE, Sin DD, Seidman MA, Leeper NJ, Francis GA | display-authors = 6 | title = Smooth Muscle Cells Contribute the Majority of Foam Cells in ApoE (Apolipoprotein E)-Deficient Mouse Atherosclerosis | journal = Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology | volume = 39 | issue = 5 | pages = 876–887 | date = May 2019 | pmid = 30786740 | pmc = 6482082 | doi = 10.1161/ATVBAHA.119.312434 }}</ref><ref name="Chappell 1313–1323">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chappell J, Harman JL, Narasimhan VM, Yu H, Foote K, Simons BD, Bennett MR, Jørgensen HF | display-authors = 6 | title = Extensive Proliferation of a Subset of Differentiated, yet Plastic, Medial Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Contributes to Neointimal Formation in Mouse Injury and Atherosclerosis Models | journal = Circulation Research | volume = 119 | issue = 12 | pages = 1313–1323 | date = December 2016 | pmid = 27682618 | pmc = 5149073 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.309799 }}</ref> Vascular smooth muscle cells exhibit pronounced plasticity within atherosclerotic plaque and can modify their gene expression profile to resemble various other cell types, including [[macrophage]]s, [[myofibroblast]]s, [[mesenchymal stem cell]]s and osteochondrocytes.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Durham AL, Speer MY, Scatena M, Giachelli CM, Shanahan CM | title = Role of smooth muscle cells in vascular calcification: implications in atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness | journal = Cardiovascular Research | volume = 114 | issue = 4 | pages = 590–600 | date = March 2018 | pmid = 29514202 | pmc = 5852633 | doi = 10.1093/cvr/cvy010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Basatemur GL, Jørgensen HF, Clarke MC, Bennett MR, Mallat Z | title = Vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis | journal = Nature Reviews. Cardiology | volume = 16 | issue = 12 | pages = 727–744 | date = December 2019 | pmid = 31243391 | doi = 10.1038/s41569-019-0227-9 | url = https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/294564 }}</ref><ref name="Harman & Jørgensen 2019"/> Importantly, genetic lineage-tracing experiments have unequivocally shown that 40-90% of plaque-resident cells are vascular smooth muscle cell-derived,<ref name="auto"/><ref name="Chappell 1313–1323"/> therefore, it is important to research the role of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis to identify new therapeutic targets. |
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== Notes == |
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{{notelist}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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{{commons category|Atherosclerosis}} |
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* {{wikiquote-inline}} |
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* [https://pharmacytheory.com/pathophysiology-of-atherosclerosis-types-stages Atherosclerosis] pathophysiology-stages and types |
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{{Medical condition classification and resources |
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| DiseasesDB = 1039 |
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| ICD10 = {{ICD10|I25.0}},{{ICD10|I25.1}},{{ICD10|I70}} |
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| ICD9 = {{ICD9|440}}, {{ICD9|414.0}} |
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| MedlinePlus = 000171 |
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| eMedicineSubj = med |
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| eMedicineTopic = 182 |
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| MeshID = D050197 |
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| Scholia = Q12252367 |
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}} |
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{{Vascular diseases}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]] |
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[[Category:Angiology]] |
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[[Category:Cardiology]] |
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[[Category:Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries]] |
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[[ar:تصلب شرايين]] |
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[[Category:Vascular diseases]] |
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[[az:Ateroskleroz]] |
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[[Category:Medical conditions related to obesity]] |
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[[cs:Ateroskleróza]] |
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[[Category:Inflammations]] |
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[[da:Åreforkalkning]] |
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[[Category:Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate]] |
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[[de:Arteriosklerose]] |
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[[el:Αρτηριοσκλήρυνση]] |
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[[es:Aterosclerosis]] |
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[[fa:آترواسکلروسیس]] |
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[[ko:동맥경화]] |
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[[it:Aterosclerosi]] |
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[[he:טרשת עורקים]] |
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[[ka:ათეროსკლეროზი]] |
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[[nl:Atheromatose]] |
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[[ja:動脈硬化症]] |
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[[no:Åreforkalkning]] |
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[[pl:Miażdżyca]] |
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[[pt:Aterosclerose]] |
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[[qu:Sirk'a iskuyay]] |
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[[ru:Атеросклероз]] |
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[[fi:Ateroskleroosi]] |
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[[sr:Ateroskleroza]] |
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[[sv:Åderförkalkning]] |
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[[zh:动脉硬化]] |
Latest revision as of 07:59, 6 January 2025
Atherosclerosis | |
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Other names | Arteriosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) |
The progression of atherosclerosis (narrowing exaggerated) | |
Specialty | Cardiology, angiology |
Symptoms | None[1] |
Complications | Coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney problems[1] |
Usual onset | Youth (worsens with age)[2] |
Causes | Accumulation of saturated fats, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes |
Risk factors | High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, unhealthy diet (notably trans fat), chronic Vitamin C deficiency[3][4] |
Prevention | Healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, maintaining a normal weight[5] |
Medication | Statins, blood pressure medication, aspirin[6] |
Frequency | ≈100% (>65 years old)[7] |
Atherosclerosis[a] is a pattern of the disease arteriosclerosis,[8] characterized by development of abnormalities called lesions in walls of arteries. This is a chronic inflammatory disease involving many different cell types and driven by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.[9] These lesions may lead to narrowing of the arterial walls due to buildup of atheromatous plaques.[10][11] At the onset there are usually no symptoms, but if they develop, symptoms generally begin around middle age.[1] In severe cases, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney disorders, depending on which body part(s) the affected arteries are located in the body.[1]
The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown and is proposed to be multifactorial.[1] Risk factors include abnormal cholesterol levels, elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers,[12] high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking (both active and passive smoking), obesity, genetic factors, family history, lifestyle habits, and an unhealthy diet.[4] Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, immune cells, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.[10][9] The narrowing of arteries limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body.[10] Diagnosis is based upon a physical exam, electrocardiogram, and exercise stress test, among others.[13]
Prevention guidelines include eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining normal body weight.[5] Treatment of established atherosclerotic disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as statins, blood pressure medication, and anticoagulant therapies to reduce the risk of blood clot formation.[6] As the disease state progresses more invasive strategies are applied such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.[6] Genetic factors are also strongly implicated in the disease process; it is unlikely to be entirely based on lifestyle choices.[14]
Atherosclerosis generally starts when a person is young and worsens with age. Females are 78% at higher risk level than men[2] Almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65.[7] It is the number one cause of death and disability in developed countries.[15][16][17] Though it was first described in 1575,[18] there is evidence suggesting that this disease state is genetically inherent in the broader human population, with its origins tracing back to genetic mutations that may have occurred more than two million years ago during the evolution of hominin ancestors of modern human beings.[19]
Signs and symptoms
[edit]Atherosclerosis is typically asymptomatic for decades because the arteries enlarge at all plaque locations, thus there is no effect on blood flow.[20] Even most plaque ruptures do not produce symptoms until enough narrowing or closure of an artery, due to clots, occurs. Signs and symptoms only occur after severe narrowing or closure impedes blood flow to different organs enough to induce symptoms.[21] Most of the time, patients realize that they have the disease only when they experience other cardiovascular disorders such as stroke or heart attack. These symptoms, however, still vary depending on which artery or organ is affected.[22]
Early atherosclerotic processes likely begin in childhood. Fibrous and gelatinous lesions have been observed in the coronary arteries of children.[23] Fatty streaks have been observed in the coronary arteries of juveniles.[23] While coronary artery disease is more prevalent in men than women, atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries and strokes equally affect both sexes.[24]
Marked narrowing in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain of angina and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or palpitations.[22] Abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias—the heart beating either too slowly or too quickly—are another consequence of ischemia.[25]
Carotid arteries supply blood to the brain and neck.[25] Marked narrowing of the carotid arteries can present with symptoms such as a feeling of weakness; being unable to think straight; difficulty speaking; dizziness; difficulty in walking or standing up straight; blurred vision; numbness of the face, arms and legs; severe headache; and loss of consciousness. These symptoms are also related to stroke (death of brain cells). Stroke is caused by marked narrowing or closure of arteries going to the brain; lack of adequate blood supply leads to the death of the cells of the affected tissue.[26]
Peripheral arteries, which supply blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis, also experience marked narrowing due to plaque rupture and clots. Symptoms of the narrowing are pain and numbness within the arms or legs. Another significant location for plaque formation is the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. Plaque occurrence and accumulation lead to decreased kidney blood flow and chronic kidney disease, which, like in all other areas, is typically asymptomatic until late stages.[22]
In 2004, US data indicated that in ~66% of men and ~47% of women, the first symptom of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a heart attack or sudden cardiac death (defined as death within one hour of onset of the symptom).[27]
Case studies have included autopsies of U.S. soldiers killed in World War II and the Korean War. A much-cited report involved the autopsies of 300 U.S. soldiers killed in Korea. Although the average age of the men was 22.1 years, 77.3 percent had "gross evidence of coronary arteriosclerosis".[28]
Risk factors
[edit]The atherosclerotic process is not well understood.[needs update] Atherosclerosis is associated with inflammatory processes in the endothelial cells of the vessel wall associated with retained low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles.[29][30] This retention may be a cause, an effect, or both, of the underlying inflammatory process.[31]
The presence of the plaque induces the muscle cells of the blood vessel to stretch, compensating for the additional bulk. The endothelial lining then thickens, increasing the separation between the plaque and lumen. The thickening somewhat offsets the narrowing caused by the growth of the plaque, but moreover, it causes the wall to stiffen and become less compliant to stretching with each heartbeat.[32]
Modifiable
[edit]- Western pattern diet[33]
- Abdominal obesity[33]
- Insulin resistance[33]
- Diabetes[33]
- Dyslipidemia[33]
- Hypertension[33]
- Trans fat[33]
- Tobacco smoking[33]
- Bacterial infections[34]
- HIV/AIDS[35]
Nonmodifiable
[edit]- South Asian descent[36][37]
- Advanced age[33][38]
- Genetic abnormalities[33]
- Family history[33]
- Coronary anatomy and branch pattern[39]
Lesser or uncertain
[edit]- Thrombophilia[40][41][42]
- Saturated fat[33][43]
- Excessive carbohydrates[33][44]
- Elevated triglycerides[33]
- Systemic inflammation[45]
- Hyperinsulinemia[46]
- Sleep deprivation[47]
- Air pollution[48][49]
- Sedentary lifestyle[33]
- Arsenic poisoning[50]
- Alcohol[33][failed verification]
- Chronic stress[33]
- Hypothyroidism[51]
- Periodontal disease[52]
Dietary
[edit]The relation between dietary fat and atherosclerosis is controversial. The USDA, in its food pyramid, promotes a diet of about 64% carbohydrates from total calories. The American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the National Cholesterol Education Program make similar recommendations. In contrast, Prof Walter Willett (Harvard School of Public Health, PI of the second Nurses' Health Study) recommends much higher levels of fat, especially of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.[53] These dietary recommendations reach a consensus, though, against consumption of trans fats.[citation needed]
The role of eating oxidized fats (rancid fats) in humans is not clear. Rabbits fed rancid fats develop atherosclerosis faster.[54] Rats fed DHA-containing oils experienced marked disruptions to their antioxidant systems, and accumulated significant amounts of phospholipid hydroperoxide in their blood, livers and kidneys.[55]
Rabbits fed atherogenic diets containing various oils were found to undergo the most oxidative susceptibility of LDL via polyunsaturated oils.[56] In another study, rabbits fed heated soybean oil "grossly induced atherosclerosis and marked liver damage were histologically and clinically demonstrated."[57] However, Fred Kummerow claims that it is not dietary cholesterol, but oxysterols, or oxidized cholesterols, from fried foods and smoking, that are the culprit.[58]
Rancid fats and oils taste very unpleasant in even small amounts, so people avoid eating them.[59] It is very difficult to measure or estimate the actual human consumption of these substances.[60] Highly unsaturated omega-3 rich oils such as fish oil, when being sold in pill form, can hide the taste of oxidized or rancid fat that might be present. In the US, the health food industry's dietary supplements are self-regulated and outside of FDA regulations.[61] To protect unsaturated fats from oxidation, it is best to keep them cool and in oxygen-free environments.[62]
Pathophysiology
[edit]Atherogenesis is the developmental process of atheromatous plaques. It is characterized by a remodeling of arteries leading to subendothelial accumulation of fatty substances called plaques. The buildup of an atheromatous plaque is a slow process, developed over several years through a complex series of cellular events occurring within the arterial wall and in response to several local vascular circulating factors. One recent hypothesis suggests that, for unknown reasons, leukocytes, such as monocytes or basophils, begin to attack the endothelium of the artery lumen in cardiac muscle. The ensuing inflammation leads to the formation of atheromatous plaques in the arterial tunica intima, a region of the vessel wall located between the endothelium and the tunica media. Chronic inflammation within the arterial wall, driven by immune cells like macrophages, accelerates atherosclerotic plaque instability by promoting collagen breakdown and thinning the fibrous cap, which increases the likelihood of rupture and thrombosis.[63] The bulk of these lesions is made of excess fat, collagen, and elastin. At first, as the plaques grow, only wall thickening occurs without narrowing. Stenosis is a late event, which may never occur and is often the result of repeated plaque rupture and healing responses, not just the atherosclerotic process.[64] Autopsy studies have shown that the prevalence of coronary artery atherosclerosis in males from the United States, with an average age of 22.1 years old, who died in war, ranges from 45% to 77.3%.[65]
Cellular
[edit]Early atherogenesis is characterized by the adherence of blood circulating monocytes (a type of white blood cell) to the vascular bed lining, the endothelium, then by their migration to the sub-endothelial space, and further activation into monocyte-derived macrophages.[9][66] The primary documented driver of this process is oxidized lipoprotein particles within the wall, beneath the endothelial cells, though upper normal or elevated concentrations of blood glucose also plays a major role and not all factors are fully understood. Fatty streaks may appear and disappear.[citation needed]
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in blood plasma invade the endothelium and become oxidized, creating risk of cardiovascular disease. A complex set of biochemical reactions regulates the oxidation of LDL, involving enzymes (such as Lp-LpA2) and free radicals in the endothelium.[67]
Initial damage to the endothelium results in an inflammatory response. Monocytes enter the artery wall from the bloodstream, with platelets adhering to the area of insult. This may be promoted by redox signaling induction of factors such as VCAM-1, which recruits circulating monocytes, and M-CSF, which is selectively required for the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages. The monocytes differentiate into macrophages, which proliferate locally,[68] ingest oxidized LDL, slowly turning into large "foam cells" – so-called because of their changed appearance resulting from the numerous internal cytoplasmic vesicles and resulting high lipid content. Under the microscope, the lesion now appears as a fatty streak. Foam cells eventually die and further propagate the inflammatory process.[citation needed]
In addition to these cellular activities, there is also smooth muscle proliferation and migration from the tunica media into the intima in response to cytokines secreted by damaged endothelial cells. This causes the formation of a fibrous capsule covering the fatty streak. Intact endothelium can prevent this smooth muscle proliferation by releasing nitric oxide.[citation needed]
Calcification and lipids
[edit]Calcification forms among vascular smooth muscle cells of the surrounding muscular layer, specifically in the muscle cells adjacent to atheromas and on the surface of atheroma plaques and tissue.[69] In time, as cells die, this leads to extracellular calcium deposits between the muscular wall and outer portion of the atheromatous plaques. With the atheromatous plaque interfering with the regulation of calcium deposition, it accumulates and crystallizes. A similar form of intramural calcification, presenting the picture of an early phase of arteriosclerosis, appears to be induced by many drugs that have an antiproliferative mechanism of action (Rainer Liedtke 2008).[citation needed]
Cholesterol is delivered into the vessel wall by cholesterol-containing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. To attract and stimulate macrophages, the cholesterol must be released from the LDL particles and oxidized, a key step in the ongoing inflammatory process. The process is worsened if it is insufficient high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the lipoprotein particle that removes cholesterol from tissues and carries it back to the liver.[67]
The foam cells and platelets encourage the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, which in turn ingest lipids, become replaced by collagen, and transform into foam cells themselves. A protective fibrous cap normally forms between the fatty deposits and the artery lining (the intima).[citation needed]
These capped fatty deposits (now called 'atheromas') produce enzymes that cause the artery to enlarge over time. As long as the artery enlarges sufficiently to compensate for the extra thickness of the atheroma, then no narrowing ("stenosis") of the opening ("lumen") occurs. The artery expands with an egg-shaped cross-section, still with a circular opening. If the enlargement is beyond proportion to the atheroma thickness, then an aneurysm is created.[70]
Visible features
[edit]Although arteries are not typically studied microscopically, two plaque types can be distinguished:[71]
- The fibro-lipid (fibro-fatty) plaque is characterized by an accumulation of lipid-laden cells underneath the intima of the arteries, typically without narrowing the lumen due to compensatory expansion of the bounding muscular layer of the artery wall. Beneath the endothelium, there is a "fibrous cap" covering the atheromatous "core" of the plaque. The core consists of lipid-laden cells (macrophages and smooth muscle cells) with elevated tissue cholesterol and cholesterol ester content, fibrin, proteoglycans, collagen, elastin, and cellular debris. In advanced plaques, the central core of the plaque usually contains extracellular cholesterol deposits (released from dead cells), which form areas of cholesterol crystals with empty, needle-like clefts. At the periphery of the plaque are younger "foamy" cells and capillaries. These plaques usually produce the most damage to the individual when they rupture. Cholesterol crystals may also play a role.[72]
- The fibrous plaque is also localized under the intima, within the arterial wall resulting in thickening and expansion of the wall and, sometimes, spotty localized narrowing of the lumen with some atrophy of the muscular layer. The fibrous plaque contains collagen fibers (eosinophilic), precipitates of calcium (hematoxylinophilic), and rarely, lipid-laden cells.[citation needed]
In effect, the muscular portion of the artery wall forms small aneurysms just large enough to hold the atheroma that are present. The muscular portion of artery walls usually remains strong, even after they have been remodeled to compensate for the atheromatous plaques.[citation needed]
However, atheromas within the vessel wall are soft and fragile with little elasticity. Arteries constantly expand and contract with each heartbeat, i.e., the pulse. In addition, the calcification deposits between the outer portion of the atheroma and the muscular wall, as they progress, lead to a loss of elasticity and stiffening of the artery as a whole.[citation needed]
The calcification deposits,[73] after they have become sufficiently advanced, are partially visible on coronary artery computed tomography or electron beam tomography (EBT) as rings of increased radiographic density, forming halos around the outer edges of the atheromatous plaques, within the artery wall. On CT, >130 units on the Hounsfield scale (some argue for 90 units) has been the radiographic density usually accepted as clearly representing tissue calcification within arteries. These deposits demonstrate unequivocal evidence of the disease, relatively advanced, even though the lumen of the artery is often still normal by angiography.[citation needed]
Rupture and stenosis
[edit]Although the disease process tends to be slowly progressive over decades, it usually remains asymptomatic until an atheroma ulcerates, which leads to immediate blood clotting at the site of the atheroma ulcer. This triggers a cascade of events that leads to clot enlargement, which may quickly obstruct blood flow. A complete blockage leads to ischemia of the myocardial (heart) muscle and damage. This process is the myocardial infarction or "heart attack".[74]
If the heart attack is not fatal, fibrous organization of the clot within the lumen ensues, covering the rupture but also producing stenosis or closure of the lumen, or over time and after repeated ruptures, resulting in a persistent, usually localized stenosis or blockage of the artery lumen. Stenoses can be slowly progressive, whereas plaque ulceration is a sudden event that occurs specifically in atheromas with thinner/weaker fibrous caps that have become "unstable".[74]
Repeated plaque ruptures, ones not resulting in total lumen closure, combined with the clot patch over the rupture and healing response to stabilize the clot is the process that produces most stenoses over time. The stenotic areas often become more stable despite increased flow velocities at these narrowings. Most major blood-flow-stopping events occur at large plaques, which, before their rupture, produced little if any stenosis.[citation needed]
From clinical trials, 20% is the average stenosis at plaques that subsequently rupture with resulting complete artery closure. Most severe clinical events do not occur at plaques that produce high-grade stenosis. From clinical trials, only 14% of heart attacks occur from artery closure at plaques producing a 75% or greater stenosis before the vessel closing.[citation needed]
If the fibrous cap separating a soft atheroma from the bloodstream within the artery ruptures, tissue fragments are exposed and released. These tissue fragments are very clot-promoting, containing collagen and tissue factor; they activate platelets and activate the system of coagulation. The result is the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) overlying the atheroma, which obstructs blood flow acutely. With the obstruction of blood flow, downstream tissues are starved of oxygen and nutrients. If this is the myocardium (heart muscle) angina (cardiac chest pain) or myocardial infarction (heart attack) develops.[citation needed]
Accelerated growth of plaques
[edit]The distribution of atherosclerotic plaques in a part of arterial endothelium is inhomogeneous. The multiple and focal development of atherosclerotic changes is similar to that in the development of amyloid plaques in the brain and age spots on the skin. Misrepair-accumulation aging theory suggests that misrepair mechanisms[75][76] play an important role in the focal development of atherosclerosis.[77] The development of a plaque is a result of the repair of the injured endothelium. Because of the infusion of lipids into the sub-endothelium, the repair has to end up with altered remodeling of the local endothelium. This is the manifestation of a misrepair. This altered remodeling increases the susceptibility of the local endothelium to damage and reduces its repair efficiency. Consequently, this part of endothelium has an increased risk of being injured and improperly repaired. Thus, the accumulation of misrepairs of endothelium is focalized and self-accelerating. In this way, the growth of a plaque is also self-accelerating. Within a part of the arterial wall, the oldest plaque is always the biggest and is the most dangerous one to cause blockage of a local artery.[citation needed]
Components
[edit]The plaque is divided into three distinct components:
- The atheroma ("lump of gruel", from Greek ἀθήρα (athera) 'gruel'), which is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques, composed of macrophages nearest the lumen of the artery[citation needed]
- Underlying areas of cholesterol crystals[citation needed]
- Calcification at the outer base of older or more advanced lesions. Atherosclerotic lesions, or atherosclerotic plaques, are separated into two broad categories: Stable and unstable (also called vulnerable).[78] The pathobiology of atherosclerotic lesions is very complicated, but generally, stable atherosclerotic plaques, which tend to be asymptomatic, are rich in extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells. On the other hand, unstable plaques are rich in macrophages and foam cells, and the extracellular matrix separating the lesion from the arterial lumen (also known as the fibrous cap) is usually weak and prone to rupture.[79] Ruptures of the fibrous cap expose thrombogenic material, such as collagen,[80] to the circulation and eventually induce thrombus formation in the lumen. Upon formation, intraluminal thrombi can occlude arteries outright (e.g., coronary occlusion), but more often they detach, move into the circulation, and eventually occlude smaller downstream branches causing thromboembolism.[citation needed]
Apart from thromboembolism, chronically expanding atherosclerotic lesions can cause complete closure of the lumen. Chronically expanding lesions are often asymptomatic until the lumen stenosis is so severe (usually over 80%) that blood supply to downstream tissue(s) is insufficient, resulting in ischemia. These complications of advanced atherosclerosis are chronic, slowly progressive, and cumulative. Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ruptures (see vulnerable plaque), causing the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to the death of the tissues fed by the artery in approximately five minutes. This event is called an infarction.[citation needed]
Diagnosis
[edit]Areas of severe narrowing, stenosis, detectable by angiography, and to a lesser extent "stress testing" have long been the focus of human diagnostic techniques for cardiovascular disease, in general. However, these methods focus on detecting only severe narrowing, not the underlying atherosclerosis disease.[81] As demonstrated by human clinical studies, most severe events occur in locations with heavy plaque, yet little or no lumen narrowing present before debilitating events suddenly occur. Plaque rupture can lead to artery lumen occlusion within seconds to minutes, potential permanent debility, and sometimes sudden death.[citation needed]
Plaques that have ruptured are called complicated lesions. The extracellular matrix of the lesion breaks, usually at the shoulder of the fibrous cap that separates the lesion from the arterial lumen, where the exposed thrombogenic components of the plaque, mainly collagen, will trigger thrombus formation. The thrombus then travels downstream to other blood vessels, where the blood clot may partially or completely block blood flow. If the blood flow is completely blocked, cell deaths occur due to the lack of oxygen supply to nearby cells, resulting in necrosis.[82] The narrowing or obstruction of blood flow can occur in any artery within the body. Obstruction of arteries supplying the heart muscle results in a heart attack, while the obstruction of arteries supplying the brain results in an ischaemic stroke.[citation needed]
Lumen stenosis that is greater than 75% was considered the hallmark of clinically significant disease in the past because recurring episodes of angina and abnormalities in stress tests are only detectable at that particular severity of stenosis. However, clinical trials have shown that only about 14% of clinically debilitating events occur at sites with more than 75% stenosis. Most cardiovascular events that involve sudden rupture of the atheroma plaque do not display any evident luminal narrowing. Thus, greater attention has been focused on "vulnerable plaque" from the late 1990s onwards.[83]
Besides the traditional diagnostic methods such as angiography and stress-testing, other detection techniques have been developed in the past decades for earlier detection of atherosclerotic disease. Some of the detection approaches include anatomical detection and physiologic measurement.[citation needed]
Examples of anatomical detection methods include coronary calcium scoring by CT, carotid IMT (intimal media thickness) measurement by ultrasound, and intravascular imaging techniques, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT),[84][85] allowing direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaques.
Other methods include blood measurements, e.g., lipoprotein subclass analysis, HbA1c, hs-CRP, and homocysteine.[citation needed]
Both anatomic and physiologic methods allow early detection before symptoms show up, disease staging, and tracking of disease progression.
In recent years, developments in nuclear imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT have provided non-invasive ways of estimating the severity of atherosclerotic plaques.[81]
Prevention
[edit]Up to 90% of cardiovascular disease may be preventable if established risk factors are avoided.[86][87] Medical management of atherosclerosis first involves modification to risk factors–for example, via smoking cessation and diet restrictions. Prevention is generally by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a normal weight.[5]
Diet
[edit]Changes in diet may help prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Tentative evidence suggests that a diet containing dairy products has no effect on or decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.[88][89]
A diet high in fruits and vegetables decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.[90] Evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet may improve cardiovascular results.[91] There is also evidence that a Mediterranean diet may be better than a low-fat diet in bringing about long-term changes to cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., lower cholesterol level and blood pressure).[92] A 2024 review highlighted that bioactive compounds found in Mediterranean diet components (such as olive, grape, garlic, rosemary, and saffron) exhibit properties that may contribute to cardiovascular health and atherosclerosis prevention.[93]
Exercise
[edit]A controlled exercise program combats atherosclerosis by improving the circulation and functionality of the vessels. Exercise is also used to manage weight in patients who are obese, lower blood pressure, and decrease cholesterol. Often lifestyle modification is combined with medication therapy. For example, statins help to lower cholesterol. Antiplatelet medications like aspirin help to prevent clots, and a variety of antihypertensive medications are routinely used to control blood pressure. If the combined efforts of risk factor modification and medication therapy are not sufficient to control symptoms or fight imminent threats of ischemic events, a physician may resort to interventional or surgical procedures to correct the obstruction.[94]
Treatment
[edit]Treatment of established disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as statins, blood pressure medication, or medications that decrease clotting, such as aspirin.[6] Many procedures may also be carried out such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.[6]
Medical treatments often focus on alleviating symptoms. However, measures that focus on decreasing underlying atherosclerosis—as opposed to simply treating symptoms—are more effective.[95] Non-pharmaceutical means are usually the first method of treatment, such as stopping smoking and practicing regular exercise.[96][97] If these methods do not work, medicines are usually the next step in treating cardiovascular diseases and, with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term.[98]
The key to the more effective approaches is to combine different treatment strategies.[99] In addition, for those approaches, such as lipoprotein transport behaviors, which have been shown to produce the most success, adopting more aggressive combination treatment strategies taken daily and indefinitely has generally produced better results, both before and especially after people are symptomatic.[95]
Statins
[edit]Statin medications are widely prescribed for treating atherosclerosis. They have shown benefit in reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality in those with high cholesterol with few side effects.[100] Secondary prevention therapy, which includes high-intensity statins and aspirin, is recommended by multi-society guidelines for all patients with a history of ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) to prevent the recurrence of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, or peripheral arterial disease.[101][102] However, prescription of and adherence to these guideline-concordant therapies is lacking, particularly among young patients and women.[103][104]
Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA (hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A) reductase, a hepatic rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol's biochemical production pathway. Inhibiting this rate-limiting enzyme reduces the body's ability to produce as much cholesterol endogenously, thereby reducing the level of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. This reduced endogenous cholesterol production triggers the body to then pull cholesterol from other cellular sources, enhancing serum HDL-cholesterol.[citation needed] These data are primarily in middle-aged men and the conclusions are less clear for women and people over the age of 70.[105]
Surgery
[edit]When atherosclerosis has become severe and caused irreversible ischemia, such as tissue loss in the case of peripheral artery disease, surgery may be indicated. Vascular bypass surgery can re-establish flow around the diseased segment of the artery, and angioplasty with or without stenting can reopen narrowed arteries and improve blood flow. Coronary artery bypass grafting without manipulation of the ascending aorta has demonstrated reduced rates of postoperative stroke and mortality compared to traditional on-pump coronary revascularization.[106]
Other
[edit]There is evidence that some anticoagulants, particularly warfarin, which inhibit clot formation by interfering with Vitamin K metabolism, may promote arterial calcification in the long term despite reducing clot formation in the short term.[107][108][109][110][excessive citations] Also, small molecules such as 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and protocatechuic aldehyde have shown vasculoprotective effects to reduce risk of atherosclerosis.[111][112]
Epidemiology
[edit]Cardiovascular disease, which is predominantly the clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.[113]
Almost all children older than age 10 in developed countries have aortic fatty streaks, with coronary fatty streaks beginning in adolescence.[114][115][116]
In 1953, a study was published that examined the results of 300 autopsies performed on U.S. soldiers who had died in the Korean War. Despite the average age of the soldiers being just 22 years old, 77% of them had visible signs of coronary atherosclerosis. This study showed that heart disease could affect people at a younger age and was not just a problem for older individuals.[117][118][119]
In 1992, a report showed that microscopic fatty streaks were seen in the left anterior descending artery in over 50% of children aged 10–14 and 8% had even more advanced lesions with more accumulations of extracellular lipid.[120]
A 2005 report of a study done between 1985 and 1995 found that around 87% of aortas and 30% of coronary arteries in the age group 5–14 years had fatty streaks which increased with age.[121]
Etymology
[edit]The following terms are similar, yet distinct, in both spelling and meaning, and can be easily confused: arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries (from Greek ἀρτηρία (artēria) 'artery' and σκλήρωσις (sklerosis) 'hardening'); arteriolosclerosis is any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of arterioles (small arteries); atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to an atheromatous plaque (from Ancient Greek ἀθήρα (athḗra) 'gruel'). The term atherogenic is used for substances or processes that cause the formation of atheroma.[122]
Economics
[edit]In 2011, coronary atherosclerosis was one of the top ten most expensive conditions seen during inpatient hospitalizations in the US, with aggregate inpatient hospital costs of $10.4 billion.[123]
Research
[edit]Lipids
[edit]An indication of the role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on atherosclerosis has been with the rare Apo-A1 Milano human genetic variant of this HDL protein. A small short-term trial using bacterial synthesized human Apo-A1 Milano HDL in people with unstable angina produced a fairly dramatic reduction in measured coronary plaque volume in only six weeks vs. the usual increase in plaque volume in those randomized to placebo. The trial was published in JAMA in early 2006.[citation needed] Ongoing work starting in the 1990s may lead to human clinical trials—probably by about 2008.[needs update] These may use synthesized Apo-A1 Milano HDL directly, or they may use gene-transfer methods to pass the ability to synthesize the Apo-A1 Milano HDLipoprotein.[citation needed]
Methods to increase HDL particle concentrations, which in some animal studies largely reverses and removes atheromas, are being developed and researched.[citation needed] However, increasing HDL by any means is not necessarily helpful. For example, the drug torcetrapib is the most effective agent currently known for raising HDL (by up to 60%). However, in clinical trials, it also raised deaths by 60%. All studies regarding this drug were halted in December 2006.[124]
The actions of macrophages drive atherosclerotic plaque progression. Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis is the term for techniques that modulate immune system function to suppress this macrophage action.[125]
Involvement of lipid peroxidation chain reaction in atherogenesis[126] triggered research on the protective role of the heavy isotope (deuterated) polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFAs) that are less prone to oxidation than ordinary PUFAs (H-PUFAs). PUFAs are essential nutrients – they are involved in metabolism in that very form as they are consumed with food. In transgenic mice, that are a model for human-like lipoprotein metabolism, adding D-PUFAs to diet indeed reduced body weight gain, improved cholesterol handling and reduced atherosclerotic damage to the aorta.[127][128]
miRNA
[edit]MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have complementary sequences in the 3' UTR and 5' UTR of target mRNAs of protein-coding genes, and cause mRNA cleavage or repression of translational machinery. In diseased vascular vessels, miRNAs are dysregulated and highly expressed. miR-33 is found in cardiovascular diseases.[129] It is involved in atherosclerotic initiation and progression including lipid metabolism, insulin signaling and glucose homeostatis, cell type progression and proliferation, and myeloid cell differentiation. It was found in rodents that the inhibition of miR-33 will raise HDL-C levels and the expression of miR-33 is down-regulated in humans with atherosclerotic plaques.[130][131][132]
miR-33a and miR-33b are located on intron 16 of human sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) gene on chromosome 22 and intron 17 of SREBP1 gene on chromosome 17.[133] miR-33a/b regulates cholesterol/lipid homeostasis by binding in the 3'UTRs of genes involved in cholesterol transport such as ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters and enhance or represses its expression. Studies have shown that ABCA1 mediates cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to Apolipoprotein-1. It is also important in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, where cholesterol is delivered from peripheral tissue to the liver, where it can be excreted into bile or converted to bile acids before excretion.[129] Therefore, ABCA1 prevents cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. By enhancing miR-33 function, the level of ABCA1 is decreased, leading to decreased cellular cholesterol efflux to apoA-1. On the other hand, by inhibiting miR-33 function, the level of ABCA1 is increased and increases the cholesterol efflux to apoA-1. Suppression of miR-33 will lead to less cellular cholesterol and higher plasma HDL level through the regulation of ABCA1 expression.[134]
The sugar, cyclodextrin, removed cholesterol that had built up in the arteries of mice fed a high-fat diet.[135]
DNA damage
[edit]Aging is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular problems. The causative basis by which aging mediates its impact, independently of other recognized risk factors, remains to be determined. Evidence has been reviewed for a key role of DNA damage in vascular aging.[136][137][138] 8-oxoG, a common type of oxidative damage in DNA, is found to accumulate in plaque vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and endothelial cells,[139] thus linking DNA damage to plaque formation. DNA strand breaks also increased in atherosclerotic plaques.[139] Werner syndrome (WS) is a premature aging condition in humans.[140] WS is caused by a genetic defect in a RecQ helicase that is employed in several repair processes that remove damages from DNA. WS patients develop a considerable burden of atherosclerotic plaques in their coronary arteries and aorta: calcification of the aortic valve is also frequently observed.[137] These findings link excessive unrepaired DNA damage to premature aging and early atherosclerotic plaque development (see DNA damage theory of aging).[citation needed]
Microorganisms
[edit]The microbiota – all the microorganisms in the body, can contribute to atherosclerosis in many ways: modulation of the immune system, changes in metabolism, processing of nutrients and production of certain metabolites that can get into blood circulation.[141] One such metabolite, produced by gut bacteria, is trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Its levels have been associated with atherosclerosis in human studies and animal research suggests that may be a causal relation. An association between the bacterial genes encoding trimethylamine lyases — the enzymes involved in TMAO generation — and atherosclerosis has been noted.[142][141]
Vascular smooth muscle cells
[edit]Vascular smooth muscle cells play a key role in atherogenesis and were historically considered to be beneficial for plaque stability by forming a protective fibrous cap and synthesizing strength-giving extracellular matrix components.[143][144] However, in addition to the fibrous cap, vascular smooth muscle cells also give rise to many of the cell types found within the plaque core and can modulate their phenotype to both promote and reduce plaque stability.[143][145][146][147] Vascular smooth muscle cells exhibit pronounced plasticity within atherosclerotic plaque and can modify their gene expression profile to resemble various other cell types, including macrophages, myofibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells and osteochondrocytes.[148][149][143] Importantly, genetic lineage-tracing experiments have unequivocally shown that 40-90% of plaque-resident cells are vascular smooth muscle cell-derived,[146][147] therefore, it is important to research the role of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis to identify new therapeutic targets.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Also arteriosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD)
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External links
[edit]- Quotations related to Atherosclerosis at Wikiquote
- Atherosclerosis pathophysiology-stages and types