ISCHEMIC STROKE / ETIOLOGY
Assessment and classification of atherosclerotic plaques
Created 18/04/2023, last revision 02/05/2023
Atherosclerosis
- atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic, progressive systemic disease affecting the arterial wall and a leading cause of death and disability in the developed world
- it involves the accumulation of lipids, calcium, and other blood components in the arterial wall
- these lesions (plaques) can lead to arterial stenosis and may be complicated by thrombosis, rupture, etc.
- plaques occur at specific segments of large and medium-sized arteries (carotid and coronary arteries, thoracic and abdominal aorta, arteries of the circle of Willis, etc.). Segments with branches have the highest affinity for atherosclerotic changes
- the exact cause is unknown, numerous vascular risk factors are involved
- it involves the accumulation of lipids, calcium, and other blood components in the arterial wall
- plaques may be asymptomatic or may cause cardiovascular events (coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, etc.)
- atherosclerosis generally begins in young adulthood and progresses with age; the rate of progression is individual, but almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65
- modern imaging techniques allow a qualitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaque beyond simple measurement of the stenosis grade
- the first subclinical stage of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, detectable by sonography or MRI, is an increase in the intima-media thickness (IMT) (type 3 lesion according to AHA)