Coronary heart disease/athersclerosis Flashcards
modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease
smoking lipids blood pressure diabetes obesity sendentary lifestyle
non modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease
age
sex
genetic background
what combination of risk factors has the greatest impact on coronary heart disease
hypertension
smoking
high cholesterol
where is athersclerosis most likely to develop
at branches of vessels
e.g carotid, coronary and iliac arteries
why is atherosclerosis more likely to develop at artery branches
turbulent flow causing inflammation
where does athersclerosis happen within a blood vessel
between endothelium and internal elastic layer (intima)
what do coronary arteries do at lesion prone locations
adaptive thickening of the smooth muscle - intima widens and is larger
what is a type II lesion
macrophage foam cells infiltrate intima
what is a type III lesion/preatheroma
small pools of extracellular lipid form around the macrophage foam cells
what is a type IV lesion/atheroma
a core of extracellular lipid forms (small pools have joined up) around macrophage foam cells
what is a type V lesion/fibroatheroma
fibrous thickening around core of extracellular lipid and macrophage foam cells, hardening of vessel constriction
what is a type VI or complicated lesion?
a rupture/surface defect caused by a haematoma and fissure within intima causes a thrombus to form on outer layer of intima/lumen
when is the best time to intervene with atherosclerosis
intermediate or advanced lesions
for primary prevention of rupture/stenosis - lifestyle changes and risk factor management
what interventions are needed for complicated lesions?
stenosis/plaque rupture treatment
catheter based interventions
revascularisation surgery
treatment of heart failure
what cells are involved in athersclerosis
vascular endothelium macrophages vascular smooth muscle cells T lymphocytes platelets
how are vascular endothelial cells involved in athersclerosis
barrier function against athersclerosis
leukocyte recruitment
how are macrophages involved in athersclerosis
foam cell formation
major source of free radicals and metalloproteinases
cytokine and growth factor release
how are vascular smooth muscle cells involved in athersclerosis
migration and proliferation
collagen synthesis
remodelling, fibrous cap formation
how are t lymphocytes involved in athersclerosis
macrophage activation