A 69-Year-Old Man Comes to the Clinic Due to a Squeezing

A 69-year-old man comes to the clinic due to a squeezing pressure in his midline chest and neck that occurs when walking.  He has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.  The patient is an ex-smoker with a 20-pack-year history.  Coronary angiography shows extensive atherosclerosis and near-total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.  Further testing shows normal resting left ventricular ejection fraction with no regional wall motion abnormalities.  The absence of myocardial necrosis and scarring despite vessel occlusion in this patient can be best explained by which of the following features of the occluding plaque?

A) Active peripheral inflammation
B) Lipid-rich core
C) Low calcium content
D) Ostial location
E) Slow growth rate
F) Thin fibrous cap

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free