Emerging evidence is redefining traditional concepts of coronary atherosclerosis. Recent
data indicate that severe stenoses, the traditional focus of attention, do not cause most
coronary events. Rather, interest has increased in the often less stenotic but more
vulnerable lesions that are characterized by thin fibrous caps, large lipid accumulations,
large numbers of macrophages, and depletion of smooth muscle cells. Such lesions appear
prone to rupture, which allows the blood to come into contact with the highly thrombogenic …