Abdominal aorta, Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by formation of atherosclerotic plaques in medium and large-sized blood vessels. It is initiated by chronic hemodynamic stress and hyperlipidemia, leading to endothelial injury and subsequent inflammation, platelet adhesion and smooth muscle proliferation with resultant luminal narrowing. Macroscopically, early lesions appear as fatty streaks, then progressively becomes fibrotic and calcified, especially near the ostia where hemodynamic stress is greatest. With time, the fibrous cap ulcerates (as in this case), and thrombus forms, which can embolize into distal blood vessels leading to ischemic sequelae.