Coronary Artery Disease

Myocardial infarction, known commonly as heart attack, is a major cause of death, disability and healthcare expense in the U.S. and other industrialized societies. In most cases, the underlying cause of a myocardial infarction is the development and rupture of lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. While the build up of plaque may produce gradual narrowing in the coronary arteries and cause chest pain or angina, it is now recognized that the rupture of lipid-rich plaques can lead to the formation of thrombus, or a blood clot, which in turn can occlude or block coronary blood flow and cause the sudden onset of a coronary event. Unfortunately, current diagnostic methods - including catheterization and coronary angiography - cannot accurately identify the vulnerable plaques that cause coronary events. Further clinical research is needed to better understand the characteristics of vulnerable plaques, including the role of the chemical composition of plaques.