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Figure 3 Diagram Illustrating the Potential Pathologic Outcome After Neovascular Regression of Developing Human Coronary Atheroma

(A) In advanced unstable atheroma, intraplaque vasa vasorum leak, allowing red blood cells (RBCs) to spill into the surrounding microenvironment. Red blood cell membrane-derived cholesterol and associated macrophage infiltration in response to hemorrhage contribute to necrotic expansion. (B) Targeted therapy to eliminate intraplaque microvasculature should reduce plaque burden and necrotic core size by eliminating RBC membrane-derived cholesterol and secondary macrophage response. The alterations in lesion substrate should favor plaque stabilization with a reduction of plaque size. A= adventitia; I= intima; M= media.