The past decade has witnessed revolutionary changes in the understanding of the pathogenesis and management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The major cause of ACS is the rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombosis leading to variable obstruction in the coronary arterial lumen. Clinical strategies for the management of ACS now focus more on creating plaque stabil...

Atherosclerosis and its sequelae have a major impact on morbidity and mortality. The rupture of an inflamed atherosclerotic plaque is a crucial event, since it can result in acute thrombotic closure of an arterial vessel, resulting e. g. in myocardial infarction or stroke. Not only detection of early plaque rupture with imminent closure is therefore of clinical interest, but also timely detecti...

Despite recent advances in medical and surgical treatments to prevent arterial stroke, the cerebrovascular burden of atherosclerosis remains high. Factors associated with a high risk for arterial stroke include stenosis .50% and ulcerated plaque. Given the important role of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaque progression and rupture, a measure of plaque inflammation may help stratify arteria...

A therosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation in the culprit lesion are recognized to be the seminal events in the majority of cases of acute coronary syndrome. Plaque stability is determined by many factors, including lipid deposits, oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Accumulation of lipid in the atherosclerotic lesion increases mechanical...

Investigating the determinants and dynamics of atherosclerotic plaque instability is a key area of current cardiovascular research. Extracellular matrix degradation from excessive proteolysis induced by enzymes such as cathepsin K (Cat K) is implicated in the pathogenesis of unstable plaques. The current study assessed the expression of Cat K in human unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Specimens...

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNA, miR) are noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by hindering translation. miRNA expression profiles have been shown to differ in vivo and in vitro in many cellular processes associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The progression of CVDs has also been shown to alter the blood miRNA profile in humans. CONTENT We summarize the results of animal and cel...

To cite: Bajaj R, Chhabra L, Kruger M, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2013009542 DESCRIPTION A 64-year-old man with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and transient ischaemic attack was admitted with complaints of palpitations and fatigue. He was found to be having AF with sustained rapid ventricular response. He had failed ra...

BACKGROUND Activated macrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic syndromes. It has been postulated that detection of heat released by activated inflammatory cells of atherosclerotic plaques may predict plaque rupture and thrombosis. Previous ex vivo studies have shown that there is thermal heterogeneity in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS AND RESULTS...

OBJECTIVE DKK3 (dickkopf 3), a 36-kD secreted glycoprotein, has been shown to be involved in the differentiation of partially reprogrammed cells and embryonic stem cells to smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but little is known about its involvement in vascular disease. This study aims to assess the effects of DKK3 on atherosclerotic plaque composition. APPROACH AND RESULTS In the present study, we ...

AIMS MMPs contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability, but the relative potency of their endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) as protective factors has not been defined. We therefore investigated the impact of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 knockout on atherosclerotic plaque burden and composition in apolipoprotein E-knockout (Apoe(-/-)) mice and studied the underl...