Understanding the coronary disease process and the potential for prevention: A summary

This presentation describes the atherothrombotic processes leading to acute coronary syndromes based on the recent studies of vascular biology. It outlines the mechanism of action and the evolving impact of lipid-lowering therapy in stabilization and secondary prevention of such processes. The present understanding of the pathogenesis of each phase of progression and of the various lesions preceding myocardial infarction emphasizes the physical, structural, cellular, and chemical properties of "vulnerable or unstable plaques" prone to disruption.