Collocation of Macrophages and Mechanical Stress in Human Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. One of the primary causes of CVD is atherosclerosis, a progressive disease that begins with the deposition of lipid on arterial walls to form plaque. Over time, some plaques progress to an unstable configuration that is vulnerable to rupture, while others remodel to more stable configurations. The factors directing plaque progression toward instability are poorly understood.