Pathological changes seen in atherosclerosis and its complications.

1. Atherosclerosis:
pathological changes and
complications
Om Prakash Bhatta

2. Objective:
• To describe the pathological changes
seen in atherosclerosis and to list the
complications.

3. Atherosclerosis
•It is a form of
arteriosclerosis
characterized by
intimal lesions called
atheromas that
protrude into vessel
lumen.
•Atheroma consists of
a necrotic lipid core
and a fibrous cap.

4. Pathological Changes
• Fatty streak
» Earliest
lesions
» Composed of
lipid filled
foamy
macrophages
• Coronary fatty streak
begin to form in
adolescence

5. • Atherosclerotic plaque
»Consists of fibrous cap and a necrotic
core
»Patchy, eccentric lesions
»Composed of cells , ECM , lipid
»May undergo dystrophic calcification
»Abdominal aorta most commonly
involved

6. Fibrous plaque

7. • Plaque is a dynamic lesion and may
undergo
»Rupture, ulceration or erosion
»Hemorrhage into plaque
»Atheroembolism
»Aneurysm formation

8. Complications
1. Vessel weakness
2. Vessel thrombosis
 Acute MI
 Stroke
 Bowel infarction
3. Hypertension
4. Peripheral arterial disease

9. References
• Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of
Disease , 8th edition
• Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology, 3rd
edition