| Inflammatory processes are believed to play a role in the conversion of coronary vessel-wall lipids into dangerous atheromatous plaques. |
| When the diagnostic work-up in this patient revealed no obvious thrombogenic etiology, the presumptive diagnosis was an atheromatous embolic event. |
| Distal gangrene of the toes with a palpable pulse or adequate circulation may indicate microemboli from proximal atheromatous plaques. |
| Acute coronary events occur as a result of rupture of an unstable atheromatous plaque. |
| Much effort must be given to reducing the risk factors that predispose to major atheromatous arterial disease. |
| Rupture of the fibrous cap of an atheromatous plaque exposes the lipid core, which is highly thrombogenic and contains an abundance of procoagulant tissue factor. |
