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The Pharmacogenetics of Atherosclerosis

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Clinical Cardiogenetics

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Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. It comes from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness). Atherosclerosis is the pathophysiological basis of the majority of morbidity and mortality in Western societies. In recent years, progression has been made in unraveling the exact cause for atherosclerosis. It is considered to have a complex pathophysiology, and is a disease of the arterial intima leading to the formation of fibrous (atheromatous) plaques and to stenosis/occlusion of the lumen (Fig. 22.1).1 Atherosclerosis affects large and medium-sized arteries. The artery and position of the plaque varies with each person. In general, atherosclerosis is a slowly progressive disease that may start in childhood. In some people this disease progresses rapidly in their third decade. In others, it does not become threatening until they are in their 50s or 60s.1,2 As mentioned above, the development of atherosclerosis is a complex process, and several major risk factors3 and a growing number of novel risk markers4 have been reported to play a role in its development. Evidence accumulated over decades convincingly demonstrates that family history of atherosclerosis in a parent or a sibling is an important risk factor associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD).5

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    P. S. Monraats

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  1. P. S. Monraats
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  2. J. W. Jukema
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Correspondence to P. S. Monraats .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, 3508 GA, Netherlands

    H.F. Baars

  2. University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, 3508 GA, Netherlands

    P.A.F.M. Doevendans

  3. University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, 3508 GA, Netherlands

    J.J. van der Smagt

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Monraats, P.S., Jukema, J.W. (2011). The Pharmacogenetics of Atherosclerosis. In: Baars, H., Doevendans, P., van der Smagt, J. (eds) Clinical Cardiogenetics. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-471-5_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-471-5_22

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