Exam 2 Patho

Atherosclerosis overview Path: -Progressive disease - formation of fibro fatty plaques in intima of arteries --Fibrous plaque form over fatty deposit - hypercholesterolemia and inflammation Impairs blood flow relating to atherosclerosis -Effects on body depends on structures involved and extent of altered flow -Ischemia- reduction in arterial flow to a level that is insufficient to meet o2 demands - Infraction- area of ischemic necrosis in an organ produced by occlusion arterial blood supply or venous drainage Atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia Path: -serum cholesterol levels elevated due to increased lipoproteins -increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, increased LDL cholesterol; decreased HDL cholesterol --LDL --HDL LDL -low-density lipoprotein --carry cholesterol; l="lousy' HDL -high-density lipoprotein --carry protein; h="healthy" Non-modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis -increasing age -male gender -post-menopausal women -genetic disorders of lipid metabolism Modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis -high cholesterol levels -smoking -obesity -hypertension (HTN) -diabetes Path: process of atherosclerosis -injury of endothelium and tunica intima (inflammatory process) by risk factors -foam cells --LDL cholesterol invades tunica intima layer; macrophages "eat up" LDL & dia; accumulate and build fatty layers (streaks) -plague structure --smooth muscle cells of tunica media form fibrous cap of collagen & elastin over fatty streaks and lay down calcium deposits --plaque build-up is a repetitive process -artery lumen narrows --decreases blood flow (less o2 to tissue)