title: The vulnerable plaque and acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: The interaction between the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus formation, a process referred to as atherothrombosis, is the cornerstone of acute coronary syndromes. Advances in noninvasive imaging have helped to identify novel approaches to plaque stabilization, with the potential to prevent plaque rupture, including lifestyle modification and dietary adjustments, as well as pharmacologic interventions such as statins. Following an acute coronary event, strategies combining mechanical and pharmacologic therapies provide considerable advances in prevention of subsequent cardiac events. Pharmacologic strategies to prevent and treat thrombotic complications related to acute coronary syndromes have been developed to dissolve preformed thrombi and to inhibit thrombogenesis. These regimens focus on inhibiting thrombin, preventing thrombi generation, blocking the initiation of coagulation, inhibiting platelet activation, and increasing fibrinolysis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corti
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Farkouh
authors.forename: Juan Jose
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Badimon
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents