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Coronary microembolization

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Abstract

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the key event in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes and it also occurs during coronary interventions. Atherosclerotic plaque rupture does not always result in complete thrombotic occlusion of the epicardial coronary artery with subsequent impending myocardial infarction, but may in milder forms result in the embolization of atherosclerotic and thrombotic debris into the coronary microcirculation.

This review summarizes the present experimental pathophysiology of coronary microembolization in animal models of acute coronary syndromes and highlights the main consequences of coronary microembolization – reduced coronary reserve, microinfarction, inflammation and oxidative modification of contractile proteins, contractile dysfunction and perfusion-contraction mismatch.

Furthermore, the review presents the available clinical evidence for coronary microembolization in patients and compares the clinical observations with observations in the experimental model.

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Correspondence to G. Heusch.

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Dr. R.Kloner, Los Angeles, USA, served as guest editor for the manuscript and was responsible for all editorial decisions, including the selection of reviewers. The policy applies to all manuscripts with authors from the editor’s institution.

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Skyschally, A., Leineweber, K., Gres, P. et al. Coronary microembolization. Basic Res Cardiol 101, 373–382 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-006-0616-1

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