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Thromb Haemost 2003; 90(05): 774-780
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-06-0374
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Animal models of vulnerable plaque

Clinical context and current status
Harry C. Lowe
1   Centre for Vascular Research, The University of New South Wales, Australia
2   Cardiology Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
,
Ik-Kyung Jang
3   Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Levon M. Khachigian
1   Centre for Vascular Research, The University of New South Wales, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 June 2003

Accepted after revision 18 July 2003

Publication Date:
05 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

There is increasing recognition of the importance of vulnerable plaque and acute plaque rupture leading to thrombosis, in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. This is fueling a number of developments, including novel imaging modalities and potential plaque stabilization therapies. However, to date, no animal model of vulnerable plaque or plaque rupture has been established. Recent developments, particularly using Apo E knockout mice, appear set to provide key breakthroughs. The present status of our understanding of plaque vulnerability is therefore discussed, with a discussion of these current advances in animal models.

Keywords

Animal models - atherosclerosis - ischaemic heart disease
 

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