Wk.8 L2 - Atherosclerosis

Question 1

LO

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis
* Classifying types of lesions
* Risk factors for atherosclerosis
* Arterial wall nomenclature
* Atherogenesis
* Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Question 2

Classifying Arteriosclerosis

Answer 2

• Thickening (hardening) and loss of elasticity of the vasculature
• Reduces lumen dimensions and increases vascular resistance

Atherosclerosis = Medium/ large arteries (plaque development)

Arteriolosclerosis = Smaller arterioles (Not plaque, Protein or cellular buildup)

Question 3

Atherosclerosis Risk Factors

Answer 3

Modifiable
* Smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia
* Diabetes

Non-modifiable
* Age, race and male sex
* Familial history

Question 4

Atherosclerosis and Estrogen

Answer 4

Estrogen is “anti-atherogenic”
Premenopausal women have a degree of “protection”
- vasodilation
- plaque progression

After, CVD risk increases

Question 5

Layers of the arterial wall

Answer 5

Intima:
- endothelium
- minimal subendothelial CT

Media:
- layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC)

Adventitia:
- loose CT
- collagen

Question 6

Preclinical phase

Answer 6

Chronic vascular stress promotes endothelial dysfunction and an immune response
- Hypertension
– Smoking
– LDL

Fatty streak and fibrous cap form an atheromatous plaque

Question 7

Clinical phase

Answer 7

Inflammatory cells inside the plaque secrete enzymes to break down the fibrous cap

Without a fibrous cap the fatty streak is thrombogenic and unstable

The fatty streak contains a nocrotic core that becomes open to the blood vessel environment.

Platelets form a thrombus/ blood clot

The blood clot then reduces blood flow to surrounding tissue, leading to ischaemia

Question 8

Consequences of atherosclerosis

Answer 8

The leading cause of vascular disease worldwide, causing:
- CAD
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Aneurysm of abdominal/ thoracic aortas