What is the primary pathophysiology underlying coronary artery disease?

What is the primary pathophysiology underlying coronary artery disease?

• A. Atherosclerotic Plaque Buildup
• B. Valve Degeneration
• C. Myocardial Necrosis Without Obstruction
• D. Pericardial Effusion

Answer: (A)

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is the primary pathophysiology driving coronary artery disease. Endothelial injury and dysfunction allow LDL cholesterol to infiltrate the arterial wall, where it becomes oxidized and triggers an inflammatory response with foam cell formation and plaque development. Over time, these plaques narrow the luminal diameter and can become unstable; rupture or erosion can provoke thrombosis, leading to reduced blood flow and acute coronary syndromes such as angina or myocardial infarction. Risk factors like high LDL, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and age contribute to this process. Other choices describe different problems: valve degeneration affects heart valves, myocardial necrosis without obstruction refers to cell death not caused by blocked coronary arteries, and pericardial effusion involves fluid around the heart rather than atherosclerotic plaque in the coronaries.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is the primary pathophysiology driving coronary artery disease. Endothelial injury and dysfunction allow LDL cholesterol to infiltrate the arterial wall, where it becomes oxidized and triggers an inflammatory response with foam cell formation and plaque development. Over time, these plaques narrow the luminal diameter and can become unstable; rupture or erosion can provoke thrombosis, leading to reduced blood flow and acute coronary syndromes such as angina or myocardial infarction. Risk factors like high LDL, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and age contribute to this process. Other choices describe different problems: valve degeneration affects heart valves, myocardial necrosis without obstruction refers to cell death not caused by blocked coronary arteries, and pericardial effusion involves fluid around the heart rather than atherosclerotic plaque in the coronaries.