Complications
"Complicated" atheroma account for the major morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis. Changes that may occur include:
- calcification - causing brittleness and narrowing
- ulceration and rupture - discharging cholesterol-rich micro-emboli
- superimposed thrombosis - causing occlusion and potential embolism
- haemorrhage into the plaque - the resultant haematoma may remain localised within the intima, or may rupture into the lumen of vessel. In small vessels, this may cause significant and sudden, occlusive ischaemia
- aneurysmal dilation - due to pressure atrophy weakening the underlying media
These may cause:
- ischaemic heart disease
- heart failure - acute or chronic
- cerebrovascular disease - TIA, CVA
- acute renal failure
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