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The unstable plaque

G.F. Gensini* and B. Dilaghi

Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy

* Correspondence: Professor G.F. Gensini, Dipartimento di Area Critica Medico-chirurgica, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, Florence, Italy.

Abstract

Acute thrombosis, which frequently complicates the evolution of atherosclerosis, leads to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral events. Thrombosis occurs over plaques because of a disruption or tear in the cap of a lipid-rich plaque that leads to exposure of blood to highly thrombogenic plaque components because of denudation and erosion of the endothelial surface. Therefore, the crucial question is why atherosclerosis suddenly becomes complicated by life-threatening thrombosis. Plaque stabilization could be a crucial therapeutic intervention to combat the harmful consequences of coronary atherosclerosis through agents that can favourably impact on plaque pathobiology.

Key Words: Atherosclerosis • passivation • plaque


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