Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis as an enduring inflammatory disease of the arterial wall is characterised by an imbalanced lipid metabolism and a maladaptive immune response resulting in sub-endothelial lipoprotein retention and endothelial activation with migration of immune and smooth muscle cells to the inflamed intima. This leads to formation of atheromas with chronic vascular stenosis and tissue ischemia which is often complicated by acute atherothrombotic events such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Even today, atherosclerosis and its consequences remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the industrialised nations.