arteriocapillary sclerosis
ar·te·ri·o·cap·il·lar·y scle·ro·sis
arteriosclerosis
A group of diseases, more commonly affecting men over age 50, characterised by thickening and hardening of arterial walls due to accumulation of lipids, calcium and fibrosis, as well as loss of elasticity and narrowing of arterial lumina. ASHD’s early effects are in the lower extremities, with subtotal occlusion and decreased exercise tolerance.Forms
▪ Arteriolosclerosis:
– Benign—associated with hyaline arteriolosclerosis;
– Malignant—associated with myofibroblast hyperplasia, “onion-skinning” of endothelial basement membrane, and deposit of fibrinoid material in vascular wall.
▪ Atherosclerosis—Formed by cholesterol and cholesterol esters, covered by a fibrous plaque which with time becomes calcified, ulcerated and causes thromboembolism in coronary artery disease (strokes, MIs, leg ischaemia, ischaemia of large intestine).
▪ Mönckeberg sclerosis—Idiopathic and often asymptomatic annular calcified bands occurring in the muscular media of medium to small blood vessels of the extremities.
Risk factors
Personal or family history of coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease; diabetes; hypertension; kidney disease involving haemodialysis; smoking; obesity.