Atheroma and Thrombosis Flashcards
What is the word used to describe “degeneration of arterial walls characterised by fibrosis, lipid deposition and inflammation which limits blood circulation and predisposes to thrombosis”
Atherosclerosis
The following vessels are commonly affected by ….
- bifurcations
- abdominal aorta
- popliteal arteries
- carotid vessels
- circle of willis
Atherosclerosis
What are the risk factors of atherosclerois?
1) Age
2) Male
3) Family history
4) Genetic
5) Cholesterol
6) Hypertension
7) smoking
8) Diabetes
What is the first step of atherosclerosis?
Endothelial inhjury
In hyperlipidaemia where does lipid accumulate in the vessel?
-Inner most part of the vessel - the intima
Foam cells
Monocytes will migrate to the intima due to endothelial injury, Ingest the lipid and become foam cells
What is the fatty streak stage of atherosclerosis?
1) accumulation of lipids in intima
2) formation of foam cells
What secretes chemokines to attract monocytes, lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells?
foam cells
What secretes connective tissue?
Smooth muscle cells proliferate and secrete connective tissue
What forms atherosclerotic plaque?
Fat, extracellular material, leukocytes and smooth muscle forms atherosclerotic plaque
Describe the structure of an atheromatous plaque?
1) fibrous cap
2) Necrotic centre
3) media
What is the difference between a clot and thrombus?
CLOT:
- stagnant blood
- enzyme process
- elastic
- adopts shape of vessel
THROMBUS:
- Dependent on platelets
- firm
How do platelets becomes activated?
Platelets bind to collagen exposed by endothelial damage and become activated.
What do platelets secrete?
Alpha Granules:
1) fibrinogen
2) fibronectin
3) PDGF
Dense granules:
-chemotactic chemicals
What is Virchow’s Triad?
Changes in the following lead to thrombus formation and platelet adhesion:
1) Intimal surface of vessel
2) partten of blood flow
3) Blood constituents
