Atherosclerosis Pathogenesis and Microvascular Dysfunction

Book excerpt: This book provides new perspectives on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Chapters cover atherosclerosis risk factors, the effect of growth and aging on vascular architecture, and the crucial role the microvasculature plays in atherosclerosis development. Microvascular dysfunction would explain why the well-known risk factors actually put individuals at higher risk. This pathomechanism would also hold true not only for obstructive atheroma formation but also for aneurysmal dilatation as well as for aortic and peripheral artery dissection. When seen through this lens, novel preventive and therapeutic opportunities can be envisioned. Atherosclerosis Pathogenesis and Microvascular Dysfunction proposes a single unifying mechanism of atherosclerosis development and describes potential preventative and therapeutic avenues based on this concept. It therefore represents a timely and valuable resource for internal medicine, cardiology, angiology cardiovascular surgeons, pathology clinicians, researchers, trainees, and students.