Atherothrombosis
Atherothrombosis defines the clinical syndrome , consisting of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, combined with inflammatory and prothrombotic systemic and local changes in the circulation, and with its acute manifestations in the coronary , cerebral and peripheral arterial vasculature represents the most common cause of death in the western world, with immense medical ones , epidemiological and health-political significance.
Origin, risk factors and consequences
The atherosclerosis is connective tissue growths and greasy deposits (plaques) on the inner walls of the arteries caused. These plaques cause the blood vessels to constrict and the transport of blood to the tissues is impeded. Over time, the plaques can become unstable and break up. The blood clot (thrombus) that forms on the broken plaque then threatens to clog the artery (atherothrombosis). If the coronary arteries affected, one is angina or a heart attack often results in infection of the brain - or cervical arteries can for stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may occur. Atherothrombosis is a multifactorial disease in which smoking , high blood pressure , obesity , diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol are among the most important risk factors . Most deaths worldwide are due to atherothrombosis.
Web links
- Atherothrombosis
- Atherothrombosis - diagnosis
- Erich Minar, News on Atherothromosis, Congress Report in: Austrian Journal of Cardiology, 2004 (PDF; 856 kB)
- Observational study: serious under-treatment of atherothrombosis worldwide. Journal Med 2005
- Beate R. Jaeger, Carlos A. Labarrere: Fibrinogen and Atherothrombose, 2003