TY - JOUR
T1 - The thin-cap fibroatheroma
T2 - A type of vulnerable plaque the major precursor lesion to acute coronary syndromes
AU - Kolodgie, Frank D.
AU - Burke, Allen P.
AU - Farb, Andrew
AU - Gold, Herman K.
AU - Yuan, Junying
AU - Narula, Jagat
AU - Finn, Aloke V.
AU - Virmani, Renu
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - While the concept of plaque 'vulnerability' implies a propensity towards thrombosis, the term vulnerable was originally intended to provide a morphologic description consistent with plaques that are prone to rupture. It is now known that the etiology of coronary thrombi is diverse and can arise from entities of plaque erosion or calcified nodules. These findings have prompted the search for more definitive terminology to describe precursor lesions associated with rupture, now referred to as thin-cap fibroatheromas. This review focuses on the thin-cap fibroatheroma, as a specific cause of acute coronary syndromes. To put these issues into current perspective, we need to revisit some of the older literature describing plaque morphology in stable and unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden coronary death. The morphology, frequency, and precise location of these thin-cap fibroatheromas are further discussed in detail. Potential mechanisms of fibrous cap thinning are also addressed, in particular emerging data, which suggests the role of cell death "apoptosis" in cap atrophy.
AB - While the concept of plaque 'vulnerability' implies a propensity towards thrombosis, the term vulnerable was originally intended to provide a morphologic description consistent with plaques that are prone to rupture. It is now known that the etiology of coronary thrombi is diverse and can arise from entities of plaque erosion or calcified nodules. These findings have prompted the search for more definitive terminology to describe precursor lesions associated with rupture, now referred to as thin-cap fibroatheromas. This review focuses on the thin-cap fibroatheroma, as a specific cause of acute coronary syndromes. To put these issues into current perspective, we need to revisit some of the older literature describing plaque morphology in stable and unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden coronary death. The morphology, frequency, and precise location of these thin-cap fibroatheromas are further discussed in detail. Potential mechanisms of fibrous cap thinning are also addressed, in particular emerging data, which suggests the role of cell death "apoptosis" in cap atrophy.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034791530&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/00001573-200109000-00006
DO - 10.1097/00001573-200109000-00006
M3 - Review article
C2 - 11584167
AN - SCOPUS:0034791530
SN - 0268-4705
VL - 16
SP - 285
EP - 292
JO - Current Opinion in Cardiology
JF - Current Opinion in Cardiology
IS - 5
ER -