Technology Assessment: Vulnerable Plaques: A Brief Review of the Concept and Proposed Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment

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Vulnerable Plaques

Figure 1. Different Types of Vulnerable Plaque

Chart of different types of vulnerable plaque as underlying cause of acute coronary events (ACS) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). A, Rupture-prone plaque with large lipid core and thin fibrous cap infiltrated by macrophages. B, Ruptured plaque with subocclusive thrombus and early organization. C, Erosion-prone plaque with proteoglycan matrix in a smooth muscle cell-rich plaque. D, Eroded plaque with subocclusive thrombus. E, Intraplaque hemorrhage secondary to leaking vasa vasorum. F, Calcific nodule protruding into the vessel lumen. G, Chronically stenotic plaque with severe calcification, old thrombus, and eccentric lumen.

Different types of vulnerable plaque as underlying cause of acute coronary events (ACS) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). A, Rupture-prone plaque with large lipid core and thin fibrous cap infiltrated by macrophages. B, Ruptured plaque with subocclusive thrombus and early organization. C, Erosion-prone plaque with proteoglycan matrix in a smooth muscle cell-rich plaque. D, Eroded plaque with subocclusive thrombus. E, Intraplaque hemorrhage secondary to leaking vasa vasorum. F, Calcific nodule protruding into the vessel lumen. G, Chronically stenotic plaque with severe calcification, old thrombus, and eccentric lumen (from Naghavi M, et al. Circulation 2003;108:1664-1672 (Figure 2). Permission to use figure and legend granted by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; http://lww.com).

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