title: Role of plaque inflammation in acute and recurrent coronary syndromes.
abstract: Inflammation plays an important role in the initiation, development, progression and complications of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Our present knowledge of the elementary role of inflammation for the onset of plaque rupture in atherosclerotic coronary lesions primarily stems from autopsy studies. However, the introduction of directional coronary atherectomy catheters has provided a unique opportunity to directly investigate the role of inflammation in coronary syndromes. In this report we describe the role of coronary plaque inflammation, as determined by immunohistochemistry, on the presentation of coronary syndromes and on the clinical outcome following percutaneous interventions.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meuwissen
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van der Wal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siebes
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: S A J
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chamuleau
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van der Loos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Teeling
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: H W M
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Niessen
authors.forename: J G P
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tijssen
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Piek
keywords: C-reactive protein; coronary syndromes; inflammation; plaque; restenosis