plakirepeäminen

Plakirepeäminen, also known as plaque rupture or arterial plaque rupture, refers to the process where atherosclerotic plaque within an artery wall breaks open. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances, collectively known as plaque, on the inner walls of arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow, but the critical event is often its rupture.

When plaque ruptures, its contents, particularly a lipid-rich core, are exposed to the bloodstream. This exposure triggers a cascade of events in the body's clotting system. Platelets, a type of blood cell, adhere to the exposed material, and a blood clot, or thrombus, begins to form at the site of the rupture. This clot can rapidly grow, further narrowing or completely blocking the artery.

The consequences of plakirepeäminen depend on the location and size of the affected artery. If a plaque ruptures in a coronary artery supplying the heart muscle, it can lead to a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. If it occurs in an artery supplying the brain, it can cause an ischemic stroke. Rupture in other arteries can lead to peripheral artery disease complications. The development of new treatments aims to stabilize plaque and prevent rupture or manage the resulting blood clots.