Pathology of atherosclerosis

Question 1

What is the first collection of lipid in arterial blood vessel

Answer 1

Fatty streak

Question 2

Where does atherosclerosis not occur?

Answer 2

low pressure systems such as pulmonary arteries

Question 3

What are risk factors for atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

• Cigarette smoking
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus (if not well controlled)
• High LDL and lipids (Hyperlipidaemia)

Question 4

What are the 2 theories on the mechanism of formation of atherosclerosis?

Answer 4

-Lipid insudation theory
-Endothelial damage theory

Question 5

What is the lipid insudation theory?

Answer 5

Lipid in blood enters arterial vessels

Question 6

What is the endothelial damage theory?

Answer 6

• Endothelial cells are delicate
• If impaired, don’t produce NO, die
• Free radicals, nicotine, CO damage endothelial cells

Question 7

Why does hyptertension damage endothelial cells?

Answer 7

• Causes shearing forces on endothelial cells
• Often when vessels bifurcate

Question 8

Why does diabetes damage endothelial cells?

Answer 8

• If poorly managed
• Superoxide anions glycosylation products

Question 9

Why does hyperlipidaemia damage endothelial cells?

Answer 9

• Direct damage to endothelial cells

Question 10

What are complications of atherosclerosis?

Answer 10

-Cerebral infarction
-Carotid atheroma: embolism causing TIA or cerebral infarct
-Myocardial infarction, cardiac failure
-Aortic aneurysms: atherosclerosis weakens wall of aorta until eventually pops
-Gangrene: circulation to feet aren’t good