Abstract

The thrombogenicity of a disrupted atherosclerotic lesion is dependent on the nature and extent of the plaque components exposed to flowing blood together with local rheology and a variety of systemic factors. We previously reported on the different thrombogenicity of the various types of human atherosclerotic lesions when exposed to flowing blood in a well-characterized perfusion system. This study examines the role of tissue factor in the thrombogenicity of different types of atherosclerotic plaques and their components.