Toward the quiescent coronary plaque

Abstract

The treatment of coronary atherosclerosis requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of plaque rupture. The rupture of lipid-laden, macrophage-rich plaques initiates unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Plaque rupture occurs when the circumferential tension on a plaque exceeds its tersile strength, an event that cannot be predicted by coronary angiography. The incidence of plaque rupture appears to be reduced in patients receiving cholesterol-lowering therapy, beta-adrenergic blocking agents and, possibly, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants, Not all ruptured coronary plaques produce an acute coronary syndrome. The consequences of..