Atherosclerosis Flashcards
Define atheroma
an acculmulation of intracellular and extracellular lipids in the intima and media
define atherosclerosis
a hardening and thickening of the arterial wall due to atheroma
define arteriosclerosis
thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries due to hypertension or diabetes
three layers of the blood vessels? 3
tunica intima, media and adventitia
what is the evolution of atheroscleroses? 3
Fatty streak
simple plaque
complicated plaque
describe the macroscopic appearance of the fatty streak 2
accumulation of lipid
raised area in the arterial wall
describe the macroscopic appearance of the simple plaque 2
irregular outline
white/yellow in colour
describe what can cause a simple plaque to become a complicated plaque
This is where something else has happened
thrombosis
haemorrhage in the plaque due to rupture of plaque cap or rupture of new blood vessels
calcification
aneurysm formation (complication of the plaque
Early on in the AS formation, what would you see> 3
extracellular lipid
foam cells
a proliferation of SMCs
Later on, what microscopic features would be seen?
Necrosis, fibrosis, inflammatory cells and cholesterol clefts
also could see ingrowth of blood vessels, plaque fissue
Name five cells involved in AS formation and the function of these cells
Macrophages: oxidise LDL and become foam cells
Neutrophils: Secrete proteases that damages tissue and causes inflammation
Epithelial cells: Cause haemostasis, produce collagen and stimulation the proliferation of SMCs
Lymphocytes: stimulation the proliferation of SMCs, and secrete TNF
Platelets: Haemostasis and the secretion of platelet derived growth factor –> stimulation the proliferation of SMCs
name 8 risk factors of AS
diabetes age gender hyperlipidaemia cigarettes alcohol infection hypertension
