Atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes.

In the past 20 years, there has been much new knowledge discovered on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and complicated and vulnerable plaques leading to a better understanding of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The role of thrombosis, lipid metabolism, and inflammation has been investigated at the cellular and molecular levels, resulting in important new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The characterization of the role of hemodynamic shear stress and its regulation of cytoskeletal function in endothelial repair and the discovery of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) derived from the bone marrow have provided new insight into vascular repair. Thus, our knowledge continues to increase, leading to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ACS.