Atheroma Flashcards
what is an atheroma
build up of plaque within the arteries
what is an atheromatous plaque made up of
fatty deposits, cholesterol, cellular waste and fibrin
what are some risk factors for developing atheroma
smoking hyperlipidaemia obesity hypertension age male gender genetics
what triggers the formation of atheromatous plaque
primary endothelial injury due to risk factors
primary endothelial injury triggers ___
accumulation of lipids and macrophages caused by raised LDL
lipids and macrophages triggers ___
accumulation of leukocyte adhesion molecules such as IL-1, TNFa and V-CAM
the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules triggers ___
monocytes and T lymphocytes to area, attach to endothelium and migrate into intima
when do macrophages turn to foam cells
when the take up oxidised LDL
where do the foam cells attach themselves to
intima of the vessel, allow smooth muscle migration
what causes the hardening of the plaque
formation of fibrous cap around the plaque
how does the plaque increase in size
when lipid rich foam cells die and release their lipid contents into the vessel
when would a simple plaque become complicated
when there is an overlying thrombus causing arterial wall to weaken further
when does atheroma produce critical disease
when there is only one artery supplying an organ
when the vessel diameter is very small
when overall blood flow is reduced
name some complications of atheroma
stenosis thrombosis embolism aneurysm dissection
