Advances in the treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease of arteries of elastic (AE) and muscular-elastic (ME) types, the specific sign and the active beginning of which are atherosclerotic plaques. Introduction of ultrasound method of vascular examination has greatly facilitated their detection. Running initially as a chronic vascular disease, atherosclerosis over time causes occlusion in the AME and leads to acute and then chronic ischemia of internal organs, particularly the heart. In the AE, atherosclerosis leads to the development of aortic aneurysms or ruptures. The listed lesions are the main cause of disability and mortality in atherosclerosis. Prevention and treatment should be aimed at delaying plaque development.