Ageing & Degeneration of the Atheroma

• Ageing and Degeneration of the Atheroma pt1:

  • Over-time the plaque begins to age and in particular the fibrous cap covering the plaque degenerates and starts to fissure as a prelude to plaque rupture
  • When a plaque ruptures immediate contact occurs between the collagenous material within the plaque and the platelets within the vessels blood flow
  • A haemostatic response is immediately triggered (haemostasis) whereby blood clot formation occurs directly at the site of rupture
  • Hence a thrombus now forms right on top of the ruptured plaque
• Ageing and Degeneration of the Atheroma pt2:

  • The presence of such a thrombus can result in total or near total vessel occlusion, compromising the viability of the tissues, which rely on that blood supply
  • There are additional risks associated with the potential for thrombus embolization such as pulmonary embolism and stroke