Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2018, 162(1):10-17 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2018.004

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque - a review of current concepts and advanced imaging

Miloslav Spaceka, David Zemanekb, Martin Hutyraa, Martin Slukaa, Milos Taborskya
a Department of Internal Medicine I - Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
b 2nd Department of Internal Medicine - Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of both carotid and coronary steno-occlusive disease. Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque may lead to the formation of an overlying thrombosis resulting in complete arterial occlusion or downstream embolism. Clinically, this may manifest as a stroke or acute myocardial infarction, the overall leading causes of mortality and disability in developed countries. In this article, we summarize current concepts of the development of vulnerable plaque and provide an overview of commonly used imaging methods that may suggest/indicate atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.

Keywords: atherosclerosis, vulnerable plaque, carotid artery, coronary artery, imaging

Received: September 18, 2017; Accepted: February 6, 2018; Prepublished online: February 21, 2018; Published: March 27, 2018  Show citation

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Spacek, M., Zemanek, D., Hutyra, M., Sluka, M., & Taborsky, M. (2018). Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque - a review of current concepts and advanced imaging. Biomedical papers, 162(1), 10-17. doi: 10.5507/bp.2018.004
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