Studies of atherectomy specimens in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology 2000; 3 (2): 91-94

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Keywords: Atherektomie,  Glatte Muskulatur,  Thrombose,  atherectomy,  smooth muscle cell proliferation,  thrombosis

The concept of plaque rupture and thrombosis has occupied a central role in our understanding of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. This paper reviews the evidence provided by atherectomy studies in this regard. The cellular composition of unstable plaques varies widely. In many instances smooth muscle cells predominate while in others there is an inflammatory response, including macrophages and T-lymphocytes. Thrombosis was reported in 19?83 % of atherectomy studies from patients with unstable angina pectoris, but is not a universal finding. The data presently available imply that there is more than one mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of the acute coronary syndromes, with an interplay between inflammation, smooth muscle cell proliferation and thrombosis. J Clin Basic Cardiol 2000; 3: 91?4.