Atheroma

Question 1

Atheroma definition

Answer 1

Build up of fatty material on the inner wall of an artery

Question 2

Atherosclerosis definition

Answer 2

Progressive thickening or narrowing of an artery that can potentially lead to a complete blockage

Question 3

What initially causes atheroma?

Answer 3

Chronic injury of the endothelium which can result in chronic inflammation

Question 4

Causes of atheroma

Answer 4

smoking, disturbed flow, hyperlipideamia, hypertension

Question 5

Formation of atherosclerosis

Answer 5

1. Circulating platelets become activated.
2. Once activated, they deposit chemokines onto the endothelial cells.
3. These chemokines cause circulating monocytes to adhere to the vessel wall.
4. Once fixed to the vessel wall, these macrophages migrate into the wall, where they become macrophages.
5. Macrophages then ingest circulating LDLs that enter the damaged wall, causing lipid-rich cells to form
6. Over time, foam cells mature into atherosclerosis plaques that contain a mixture of lipids, lipoproteins, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells.

Question 6

Clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis

Answer 6

Coronary artery - heart attack/angina (ischaemic heart disease)
Aorta - aneurysm due to weakening of wall
Carotid arteries - narrowing causing strokes
Peripheral vascular disease

Question 7

Complications of arteriosclerosis

Answer 7

Aneurysm and rupture
Critical stenosis
Embolisation
Thrombosis
Haematoma formation