Coronary artery disease: Pathogenesis and acute coronary syndromes
Date
2001
Authors
Worthley, S.
Osende, J.
Helft, G.
Badimon, J.
Fuster, V.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 2001; 68(3):167-181
Statement of Responsibility
Stephen G. Worthley, Julio I. Osende, Gérard Helft, Juan J. Badimon, and Valentin Fuster
Conference Name
Abstract
Atherosclerotic diseases and their thrombotic complications remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Western society. In the United States, cardiovascular disease is responsible for one in every 2.4 (41.4%) deaths and is the leading single cause of mortality. Furthermore, the presence of atherosclerotic disease (defined as thickening of the arterial wall through the accumulation of lipids, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells, extracellular matrix, calcium and necrotic debris) is more prevalent, but by itself rarely fatal. The crucial, final common process for the conversion of a nonocclusive, often clinically silent atherosclerotic lesion to a potentially fatal condition is often plaque disruption. The mortality associated with atherosclerotic disease relates to the acute coronary syndromes, including acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris and sudden cardiac death. Substantial clinical, experimental and postmortem evidence demonstrates the central role that a superimposed acute thrombosis on a disrupted atherosclerotic plaque plays in the onset of acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, therapeutic approaches to date have focused on reducing such thrombotic complications of atherosclerotic plaques (i.e., antiplatelet, anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies) to reduce the resulting morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will focus on the current theories of atherogenesis and how they impact on our understanding of acute coronary syndromes.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© 2001 The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine