Krestin U. Amann, MD

Plaque rupture is the main cause of acute coronary syndromes, which are associated with high mortality and morbidity. The prevalence of plaque rupture in acute coronary syndrome is more than 70%.1 Rupture-prone plaques are characterized by a large core of extracellular lipid with a thin fibrous cap (Figure 1). Inflammation, particularly in the plaque shoulder, causes the fibrous cap to thin and results in disruption of the atherosclerotic plaque.