Healing process of atherosclerotic carotid plaque

The recent research of carotid plaque has focused on evaluation of plaque component in addition to its stenosis and on how “vulnerable plaque” can be detected with some diagnostic modalities. On the other hand, in the natural history of atherosclerotic lesions, the healing process after plaque rupture is considered to be a very important pathology for elucidating the destabilization of plaque, but its recognition in the carotid artery is low. The healing process is a pathology that occurs within a certain period of time after plaque rupture and is in no way synonymous with plaque stabilization. If the healing process is effectively completed, a thick fibrous cap will be formed and the ischemic event may be the first attack only. On the other hand, if it becomes an incomplete healing process, the ischemia event will recur. Understanding the pathophysiology of healing process may be a very important issue in elucidating the natural history of atherosclerotic carotid plaque.