All Week 3 Flashcards
Which artery is protected from atherosclerosis?
the internal mammary arteries
Which arteries are most often affected by atherosclerosis?
- aorta
- coronary arteries
- peripheral arteries
- carotid arteries
The response to injury hypothesis is a theory for how what happens?
atherosclerosis develops
What are the steps of the response to injury hypothesis?
- chronic endothelial cell injury
- lipoprotein accumulation
- oxidation of LDL
- inflammatory response and foam cell formation
- adhesion of platelets
- release of cytokines and growth factors causing migration of smooth muscle cells into the intima
- production of ECM by smooth muscle cells
- enhanced accumulation of lipids
What are the two best biomarkers for atherosclerosis risk?
LDL and CRP levels
Why is CRP a good biomarker for atherosclerosis?
because it is indicative of a widespread vascular inflammatory response
What three changes to an atheroma trigger a transition to the clinical phase?
- aneurysm and rupture
- occlusion by thrombus
- critical stenosis
Why is angiography not a good estimator of atherosclerosis?
because initial plaque expansion doesn’t narrow the lumen
What is a vulnerable plaque?
one that has a thin cap, large lipid core, and is likely to rupture
What are the three possible outcomes of plaque rupture?
embolism, thrombosis, or healing
What is quantum progression in the context of atheromas/plaques?
growth by healed rupture
Plaque aneurysm is common in what vessel?
the aorta
Plaque occlusion is most likely in what vessels?
coronary arteries or peripheral arteries
Are plaques that are more or less stenotic likely to rupture?
those that are less stenotic are more likely to rupture
