Table 1.
| Evidence Suggesting the Role of the Vasa Vasorum in Atherosclerosis | References |
|---|---|
| Distribution | |
| Higher vasa vasorum density in vascular beds more prone for developing atherosclerosis. | 51, 105 |
| Higher density of vasa vasorum in the proximal segments of the vessels than in the distal segments. | 106 |
| Heterogeneous distribution of atherosclerotic plaques. | 29 |
| Relationship to coronary artery disease risk factor and reversibility | |
| Induction: Increase in vasa vasorum density in models of atherosclerosis and vascular injury. |
14, 16
17, 78 |
| Reversibility: Inhibition of vasa vasorum angiogenesis attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis. |
18, 56, 57,
78, 79, 82 |
| Relationship with cardiovascular events | |
| Vasa vasorum neovascularization and hemorrhage contributing to plaque rupture and cardiovascular events. |
107, 108,
102, 104 |