Which mechanism best explains how a stable atherosclerotic plaque can suddenly cause an acute myocardial infarction?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Rupture of the plaque cap exposing thrombogenic core, causing thrombosis
Plaque rupture or erosion exposes thrombogenic material (lipid core, collagen) to blood, leading to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation — the common cause of acute MI.
Keep practicing
More End-Organ Damage Mechanisms questions
- Diabetic microvascular disease in organs such as kidney and retina is largely mediated by which pathological processes?
- Why does arterial stiffness contribute to end-organ damage in the brain and kidneys?
- Which type of cell death is most characteristic of acute ischemia (e.g., infarction) and leads to organ necrosis when prolonged?
- In chronic organ injury, why does persistent inflammation often lead to fibrosis instead of tissue regeneration?
- Which mechanism contributes to kidney damage in hypertension before overt renal failure develops?
- In left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension, which structural change impairs diastolic filling and contributes to heart fai…