atheroma Flashcards
what is the definition of how a atheroma is formed (atherosclerosis)
Formation of focal elevated lesions (plaques) in intima of large and medium-sized arteries
how can atheroma effect the coronary arteries
the plaques narrow the lumen and lead to ischaemia - leads to angina due to MI
what is arteriosclerosis
not atheromatous
age related changes leading to vessel smooth muscle hypertrophy, duplication of internal elastic lamiae - decreased vessel diameter
what is the clinical significance of arteriosclerosis
higher frequency of cardiac, cerebral ischaemia
more apparent effect when CVS is stressed - haemorrhage, shock, infection
what are the 3 ‘‘steps’’ in the atheroma development
fatty streak
early atheromatous plaque
fully developed atheromatous plaque
what are early atheromatous plaque and where does it occur
smooth yellow patches in intima (innermost structure) laden with lipids
found in young adults onwards
what do early atheromatous plaques develop into
fully developed atheromatous plaque
what is a fatty streak in relation to atheroma development
earliest significant lesion, may disappear, in young children
may disappear, if not, may
what are fully developed atheromatous plaque
central lipid core with fibrous tissue cap - covered by arterial endothelium
what role does collage play in atheroma development
produced by smooth muscle cells in the cap - they provide structural strength
what inflammatory cells are in the cap - why
macrophages, t-lymphocytes, mast cells
recruited from arterial endothelium
what is in the central lipid core of a fully developed atheroma
its rich in cellular lipids
and debris from dead macrophages from the plaque
where do atheroma’s form
at arterial branching points/bifurcations
where there is TURBULENT FLOW
what occurs in late stage plaque development - clinical significance
extensive calcification of the atheroma
can be seen on CT scans
what is a complicated atheroma
features of a fully developed atheroma (lipid rich core, fibrous plaque)
there plaque ruptures and there is the formation of a thrombosis
what is the most important risk factors for the atherosclerosis
hypercholesterolaemia
hyperlipidaemia