Pathology 2420A Final: Final Exam Notes

• School: Western University
• Department: Pathology
• Course: Pathology 2420A
• Professor: Candace Gibson

Document Summary

Atherosclerosis systemic disease affecting large and medium sized arteries. Formation of atheromas (fibrofatty plaques) which narrow the artery lumen, reducing blood flow and causes necrosis to downstream organs. Complications of athero account for more than half of deaths in western world. Begins early in life but remains silent until it causes problem: starts as a fatty streak and some slowly progress to mature lesion (fibro-fatty plaque, chronic inflammatory response from injury to endothelial lining of artery. Causes dysfunction and allows platelets and monocytes to adhere to lining. Release growth factors and cytokines and collagen is produced. Atherosclerotic coronary disease coronary artery branches medium sized are susceptible. Begins in 20s and slowly progressive, not symptomatic until necrosis of heart muscle (70% reduction of lumen). In western society mortality rate of ihd has been declining but still a leading cause of death. But overall global burden of ihd is on the rise.