动脉粥样硬化是指动脉内膜中有脂类成分(主要是胆固醇和胆固醇酯)的沉积,管壁发生局部变性坏死,并伴有纤维组织增生以致变厚变硬的病理改变。它主要发生在大动脉(如主动脉)和中等管经动脉(如冠状动脉,脑动脉,肾动脉等)。主动脉虽是最常发生的部位,但因管腔较大,管壁较厚,多不引起严重后果。中等动脉发生粥样硬化常引起管腔阻塞,血栓形成等严重后果。冠状动脉粥样硬化可引起心肌缺血,轻者发生心绞痛,重者导致 Atherosclerosis refers to the deposition of lipid components (mainly cholesterol and cholesteryl ester) in the intima of the artery, local degeneration and necrosis of the vessel wall, accompanied by pathological changes of fibrosis resulting in thickening and hardening. It occurs mainly in the aorta (such as the aorta) and the middle of the artery (such as the coronary artery, cerebral artery, renal artery, etc.). Although the aorta is the most common site, but the larger lumen, the wall thicker, mostly without serious consequences. Middle arterial atherosclerosis often causes lumen obstruction, thrombosis and other serious consequences. Coronary atherosclerosis can cause myocardial ischemia, mild angina pectoris, severe cases