Atherosclerosis
Of these, cardiovascular disease (accelerated atherosclerosis, pericarditis) is the commonest and the main cause of early death.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS (essay-favourite, appears again under Cardiovascular)
- Aetiology/risk factors: hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, family history, age, male sex
- Pathogenesis (response-to-injury hypothesis):
- Endothelial injury/dysfunction
- LDL infiltration into the intima, oxidation of LDL
- Monocyte adhesion and migration into the intima, transform into macrophages
Read this in General Pathology Revision: Cell Injury, Inflammation & Adaptation (MBPA 3500 Pa
Atherosclerosis
- Affects the tunica intima
- Starts as fatty streak (foam cells = macrophages engulfing oxidized LDL)
- Progresses to fibrous plaque → complicated plaque (calcification, ulceration, rupture)
- Foam cells → release cytokines → smooth muscle migration → fibrous cap
Read this in Comprehensive Heart Pathology Notes 🫀
What our notes say
- Of these, cardiovascular disease (accelerated atherosclerosis, pericarditis) is the commonest and the main cause of early death. (Internal Medicine Rheumatology CAT: 30 MCQs and 5 short answer questions)
- She also has a 'diabetic foot' from severe peripheral vascular atherosclerosis, and the MI is consistent with severe occlusive coronary atherosclerosis. (CNS PATHOLOGY — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Describe the current concepts in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. (pathology essays — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Discuss the current concepts in the pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis. (pathology essays — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Coronary atherosclerosis can result in myocardial infarction with overlying endocardial mural thrombosis, typically involving the left ventricle. (CNS PATHOLOGY — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- The risk factors in most adults include atherosclerosis and hypertension. (CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
Study material on Atherosclerosis
- Essential Cardiovascular Pathology: Atherosclerosis to Endoc
- Cardiovascular & Respiratory Pathology: Atherosclerosis, RHD & MI Review
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- CNS PATHOLOGY
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review
- Pathology Continuous Assessment July 2021
- Medical Pathology Final Revision: Chemical, Hema, Systemic
- Renal Vascular Diseases: Nephrosclerosis & Renal Artery Stenosis
- VASCULAR PATHOLOGY — Must-Know Comprehensive Notes
- Weekly Pathology Exam - September 4, 2026 (Sections B & C)
Practice questions on Atherosclerosis
Which enzyme is associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis and used to assess cardiovascular disease risk?
- CK-MB
- Myoglobin
- Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)
- Troponin I
Answer: C. ** Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis, used to assess cardiovascular disease risk particularly in patients with stable coronary artery disease. ---
60-year-old, chronic renal failure, calcific deposits in the media of muscular arteries, "tram-track" on X-ray. Best description? - Mönckeberg sclerosis: calcification of the **media** of muscular arteries, common in elderly/diabetics/CKD; does **not** narrow the lumen (unlike atherosclerosis) ---
- Hyaline arteriolosclerosis
- Fibromuscular dysplasia
- Atherosclerosis of large elastic arteries
- Hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis
- Mönckeberg medial calcific sclerosis
Answer: E.