J Korean Med Assoc.  2002 Jul;45(7):860-870. 10.5124/jkma.2002.45.7.860.

Pathogenesis of Coronary Atherosclerosis

• Kim HS

• KMID: 2347568
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2002.45.7.860

Abstract

Coronary atherosclerosis begins with the impairment of endothelial function of anti-thrombosis, vasorelaxation, anti-proliferation, and anti-atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfuction is induced not only by bio-chemical factors such as hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, but also by bio-mechanical factors, such as disturbance of laminar flow of blood stream. In addition to these conventional risk factors, new ones emerge as important factors for atherosclerosis, which include hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress, and infectious agents. The results of the several ongoing trials of antibiotics, antioxidant, and vitamins for prevention of cardiovascular diseases will elucidate implications of these new risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis. The new insight on the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis will change the preventive measures against cardiovascular events. We have to pay attention not only to the conventional measures such as reducing the cholesterol level, correcting hypertension, and prescribing anti-platelet agents, but also to the new measures such as reducing the homocysteine level by folate and vitamin B, encouraging intake of antioxidant in fresh vegetables and nuts, and eradicating infectious agents by oral care and ulcer treatment.

Keyword

Coronary artery; Atherosclerosis; Risk factor; Pathogenesis

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol
Coronary Artery Disease*
Coronary Vessels
Diabetes Mellitus
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Hypertension
Nuts
Oxidative Stress
Risk Factors
Rivers
Smoke
Smoking
Ulcer
Vasodilation
Vegetables
Vitamins
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cholesterol
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Smoke
Vitamins