Atherosclerosis

Definition

• Arterial wall thickening characterised by plaques consisting of lipid core and fibrous cap +/- calcification

Causes

• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidaemia
• Smoking
• Diabetes
  * also by heriditary factors

Complications

• Luminal narrowing > inadequate blood flow > ischaemia
• Thrombotic occlusion > infarction (or spontaneous recanalisation) +/- emboli
• Aneurysmal formation > Turbulent flow +/- rupture +/- thrombosis +/- embolus