Cardiology>>>>>Ischaemic heart disease
Question 13#

Which one of the following is true of atherosclerotic plaque formation?

A. It is an acute inflammatory disease of the vascular intima
B. It is characterized by the accumulation and modification of cholesterol esters on the luminal surface of the endothelium
C. Macrophages bind and phagocytose oxidized LDL to form foam cells
D. Typically form away from branch points
E. Endothelial dysfunction as a result of an insult to the endothelium is characterized by increased nitric oxide release

Correct Answer is C

Comment:

Endothelial injury and dysfunction result from a number of insults. Decreased nitric oxide (NO), which is antiatherogenic, results from endothelial dysfunction. Branch points are vulnerable. Modified cholesterol esters (oxidized LDL) accumulate in the subendothelial space and are phagocytosed by macrophages to form foam cells. Abnormal vascular smooth muscle proliferation at points of atherosclerosis contributes to plaque formation and also determines the stability of the lesions (fibrous cap–thin caps = vulnerability to shear stress).