CURRENT VIEWS ON THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications are responsible for o ver one half million deaths annually and countless other complications . The mechanism responsible for the conversion of a stable atheroscler otic lesion to a life-threatening condition is plaque rupture. The ris k of plaque rupture is a function of both plaque vulnerability and ext rinsic triggers. Atherosclerotic plaques tend to develop in lesion pro ne areas with the participation of vascular and bloodborne cells, cyto kines, lipids and proteins that interact simultaneously and/or sequent ially to progress into advanced plaques. Plaque disruption can be prev ented by the stabilization of vulnerable plaques and by avoiding or re ducing potential trigger mechanisms.