Current approaches to therapy for vascular injury.
Vascular injury is a ubiquitous phenomenon which can be both occult (such as with hyperlipidemia) and overt (such as with angioplasty). While the exact pathophysiology differs between acute and chronic atherosclerosis, both lesions can be mechanistically explained by the vasculature's exaggerated response to injury. Pharmacological attempts to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease can be categorised by their role in modifying this inflammatory response. This manuscript reviews current therapy for cardiovascular injury at two levels: the chronic smouldering atheromatous lesion and intimal hyperplasia associated with acute vascular intervention. In addition, future therapeutic strategies, based within this inflammatory paradigm, are discussed.
Selzman
C H
CH
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Box C-310, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA. craig.selzman@uchsc.edu
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid