Atherosclerosis: disputable and unsolved problems in the first decade of the XXI century

Abstract

The end of the XX century brought the discovery of the mechanism regulating cholesterol metabolism in humans and understanding of the cause of family hypercholesterolemia. Statins, introduced in early 1990es, failed to solve all the problems of atherosclerosis. Statins reduce blood cholesterol, but can also suppress activity of inflammation in the vascular wall, activity of peroxidation, can block proliferation of smooth muscular cells. The role of all these mechanisms should be carefully investigated as well as efficacy of innovative drugs.

Keywords

• lecture
• atherosclerosis
• pathogenesis
• dyslipidemia
• diagnosis
• treatment