Atherosclerosis (2009)

Atherosclerosis (2009)

Atherosclerosis (2009)

UPDATE 07/2014: A newer version of this animation is now available! Watch it here:    • Heart Attack Due to Atherosclerosis  

This 3d medical animation illustrates the story of how the buildup of cholesterol plaque causes a heart attack (myocardial infarction) from a blocked coronary artery due to atherosclerosis, which is chronic inflammation of the blood vessels. Beginning with damage to the endothelial arterial wall, the animation shows how a white blood cell entering the wall of the artery differentiates (changes) into a macrophage, grabbing and digesting cholesterol.

As the cell does its job, it transforms into a foam cell, which, unfortunately, becomes part of the plaque within the blood vessel wall. Ultimately, over a period of years, the plaque grows and ruptures the blood vessel wall, spilling into the blood stream and eventually blocking the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) supplying the left ventricle.

The animation ends showing an external view of the heart with dark area representing the death of the ventricle wall.

For information on Atherosclerosis, visit http://www.nucleusinc.com/atheroscler…


Content

1.16 -> Atherosclerosis is a life threatening disease that may have begun to develop during childhood
8.04 -> This condition is a process in which deposits of fatty material called plaque, build up inside the walls of arteries
15.8 -> reducing or completely blocking blood flow.
19.58 -> In extreme cases, this disease can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
25.42 -> Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco smoke, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity.
38.5 -> Although the exact causes of atherosclerosis are not clear
42.62 -> many scientists think it begins with damage to the inner wall of an artery called the endothelium
49.02 -> over time, substances traveling in the blood
52.06 -> such as cholesterol, fats, and cellular wastes products accumulate inside the damage area of the arterial wall
60.32 -> chemical reactions occurring within the build up of material cause cholesterol molecules to oxidize
67.9 -> This initiates an inflammatory response in which the endothelial cells at the damaged site release chemicals
74.9 -> that signal a call for help
78.08 -> In response, monocytes from the bloodstream travel to the damaged site
88.96 -> stimulation from oxidized cholesterol converts the monocytes into macrophages
96.48 -> the macrophages eat and digest the cholesterol molecules
101.04 -> as a result of this process, the macrophages change into foam cells
106.3 -> which accumulate to form plaque
109.68 -> As the plaque increases in size, the arterial wall thickens and hardens.
122.76 -> At the same time, smooth muscle cells within the arterial wall begin to multiply.
131.34 -> Then, most of the smooth muscle cells move to the surface of the plaque.
152.22 -> These cells contribute to the formation of a firm, fibrous cap, covering the plaque.
168.08 -> Over time, the cap may erode and break open, releasing plaque into the bloodstream.
175.04 -> The plaque can flow downstream and contribute to the formation of a blood clot
180.24 -> which can stop blood flow.
182.52 -> As a result, limited blood supply is available to the area surrounding the partially blocked artery
188.84 -> degrading and potentially killing the neighboring tissue
192.66 -> Significant damage in organs such as the heart or brain can result in a heart attack or stroke

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHE1ig4k64M