Describe Inflammation and Atherosclerosis ?
It has recently been stated that atherosclerosis is clearly an inflammatory disease and does not result simply from the accumulation of lipids. Evidence linking inflammation to atherosclerosis stems from studies focusing on acute and chronic phases of CAD. Elevated levels of acute-phase reactants and cytokine production with a focal predominance of inflammatory cells in the vulnerable plaques have been found in patients with unstable coronary syndromes. Thus, markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, have been described as a potential predictor for future Cardio-vascular cveiits. The circulating levels of these inflammatory markers are altered by 11.catmenl with lipid lowering drugs like statins.
However, there is as yet no consensus on the use of antibiotics and the anti-inflammatory agents in prevention of CAD or management of acute coronary syndrome.