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Hamostaseologie 2021; 41(06): 433-442
DOI: 10.1055/a-1661-0020
Review Article

Anti-inflammatory Strategies in Atherosclerosis

Heiko Bugger
1   Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Andreas Zirlik
1   Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Abstract

Atherosclerotic vascular disease and its related complications are the major cause of mortality in Western societies. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall triggered by traditional and nontraditional risk factors and mediated by inflammatory and immune responses. Recent clinical trials provided compelling evidence corroborating that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and demonstrated efficacy of anti-inflammatory interventions in reducing cardiovascular events and mortality. Traditional risk factors drive vascular inflammation, further justifying the instrumental role of intensified risk factor management in attenuating and preventing atherosclerotic disease and complications. Promising therapeutic approaches specifically related to inhibition of inflammation span traditional anti-inflammatory drugs, specific immunomodulation, and development of vaccination against atherosclerotic disease. Here, we review the inflammatory component in atherogenesis, the available evidence from clinical trials evaluating efficacy of therapeutic anti-inflammatory interventions in patients with high cardiovascular risk, and discuss potential future targets for anti-inflammatory or immune modulatory treatment in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Keywords

inflammation - atherosclerosis - strategies

Author Contributions

All authors contributed equally to this manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 24 September 2021

Accepted: 28 September 2021

Article published online:
23 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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