Coronary Atherosclerosis : Plaque Rupture

Coronary artery with plaque rupture in a 70 y/o male (elastic van Gieson stain). The contents of the atheroma fill the lumen of the coronary artery. Such events usually lead to the formation of superimposed thrombus at the site of plaque damage causing partial or complete blockage of the involved artery. This is usually followed by one of the acute coronary syndromes such as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, or sudden death. Image copyright: pathorama.ch.