AUTHOR=Luo Xing , Lv Ying , Bai Xiaoxuan , Qi Jinyu , Weng Xiuzhu , Liu Shaoyu , Bao Xiaoyi , Jia Haibo , Yu Bo 

TITLE=Plaque Erosion: A Distinctive Pathological Mechanism of Acute Coronary Syndrome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.711453

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2021.711453

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=<p>Plaque erosion (PE) is one of the most important pathological mechanisms underlying acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The incidence of PE is being increasingly recognized owing to the development and popularization of intracavitary imaging. Unlike traditional vulnerable plaques, eroded plaques have unique pathological characteristics. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that there are differences in the physiopathological mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes between PE and plaque rupture (PR). Accurate diagnosis and treatment of eroded plaques require an understanding of the pathogenesis of PE. In this review, we summarize recent scientific discoveries of the pathological characteristics, mechanisms, biomarkers, clinical strategies, and prognosis in patients with PE.</p>