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Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis Video
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Video at a Glance
- Blood vessels are composed of three layers. The innermost layer is the tunica intima, made up of endothelial cells. The second layer is the tunica media, composed of elastic tissue and smooth muscle. The outer layer is the tunica adventitia, which is made of connective tissue to strengthen the vessel.
- In the first stage of atherosclerosis, the tunica intima is damaged via smoking, diabetes, hypertension, or another cause, which releases von Willebrand (vW) factor. vW factor acts like hooks on the outside of the cells and binds with platelets to create a platelet plug which causes inflammation.
- The second stage is the formation of fatty streaks in the tunica intima.
- The third stage is fibrous plaque development which continues to grow until the patient experiences symptoms.
- The fourth phase is an unstable plaque leading to large clot development. The fibrous caps rupture and release the inflammatory mediators into the blood, leading to unstable angina, stroke, and other complications.
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