New aspects of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: possible approaches to prevention and treatment

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Abstract
New techniques in cell biology and recent advances in rheology have opened up fresh perspectives in the understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. There is now an increasing amount of experimental evidence to support the hypothesis that arterial thrombi are the first stage in atherogenesis in the context of endothelial lesions and not merely secondary factors without any causal significance. Factors influencing platelet aggregation and adhesiveness are discussed, and the animal and clinical studies carried out with the platelet aggregation inhibitor pentoxifylline and its effects on the microcirculation are reviewed.