HSS 3305 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Anterior Interventricular Branch Of Left Coronary Artery, Coronary Vasospasm, Atheroma
24 Feb 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Narrowing of arteries from lipid deposits (neutral fat and cholesterol) by diffusion from bloodstream. Pathogenesis: endothelial injury cells proliferate in intima. Cholesterol and lipids accumulate in cytoplasm (unstable plaques) Secondary fibrosis, calcification, degenerative changes in arterial wall (stable plaques) Formation of atheroma (rough, ulcerated surface predisposed to clot formation) Irregular mass of yellow, mushy debris encroaching on lumen of artery and extending into muscular and elastic tissues of arterial wall. Several stable atheromatous plaques surrounded by sense connective tissue. Without excessive demands on heart, 50% or more arterial narrowing may still supply enough blood to heart, but is inadequate during exertion. Coronary artery in cross section illustrating several stable atheromatous plaques (arrows) surrounded by dense fibrous tissue. Atheromatous deposits reduce lumen of artery to a narrow slit. 3 risk factors = 7x risk: other risk factors: obesity; type a personality. Likelihood of coronary heart disease and heart attack.
