Atherosclerosis动脉粥样硬化

What is atherosclerosis?什么是动脉粥样硬化？

Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. (Arteriosclerosis is a general term for thickening or hardening of the arteries.) Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin, and can develop in medium or large arteries. The artery wall becomes thickened and looses its elasticity.动脉粥样硬化是动脉硬化的一种类型，由形成在动脉内膜上的斑块引起。（动脉粥样硬化是动脉壁变硬或变厚的统称。）斑块是由脂肪物质，胆固醇，细胞的代谢产物，钙，和纤维蛋白等沉积形成，并且可以在中等的或大的动脉里发展，使动脉壁变厚和失去弹性。

Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start as early as childhood. However, the disease has the potential to progress rapidly.动脉粥样硬化是一种缓慢的渐进的病，它可能早在儿童期就已经开始。然而，这种病有迅速进展的潜在危险。

What causes atherosclerosis?什么引起动脉硬化症？

It is unknown exactly how atherosclerosis begins or what causes it. Some scientists think that certain risk factors may be associated with atherosclerosis, including:尚未确切的知道动脉粥样硬化是怎样开始的或者是什么引起了它。有些科学家认为某些危险因素可能与动脉粥样硬化相伴随，包括：

• elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels升高的胆固醇和甘油三脂水平
• high blood pressure高血压
• smoking吸烟
• diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes)糖尿病（I型糖尿病）
• obesity肥胖
• physical inactivity身体不活动

How does the disease progress?这病如何进展？

There is a gradual build-up of plaque or thickening of the inside of the walls of the artery, causing a decrease in the amount of blood flow, and a decrease in the oxygen supply to the vital body organs and extremities.斑块的形成或动脉壁内面的增厚是逐渐的，引起血流量的减少，从而减少了向生命悠关的身体的生命器官和四肢的氧供应。

A heart attack may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is reduced to the heart. A stroke may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is cut off to the brain. Gangrene may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is reduced to the arms and legs.如果对心脏的氧合血的供应减少，可能引发心脏病发作。如果对脑的氧合血的供应切断，可能发生中风。如果对手臂和腿的氧合血的供应减少，坏疽可能发生。

What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?动脉硬化的征兆是什么？

Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque builds up in the artery. Symptoms may also vary depending on the affected artery. However, when a major artery is blocked, signs and symptoms may be severe, such as those occurring with heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, or blood clot.斑块在动脉里形成时，动脉粥样硬化的体征和症状可能会逐渐的发展，而且可能会很少。症状也是不同的，这取决于受累的动脉。然而，当主要的动脉被堵塞时，体征和症状就会严重，例如它会伴有心脏病发作，中风，动脉瘤，或者血栓。

The symptoms of atherosclerosis may resemble other cardiac conditions. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.动脉粥样硬化的症状可能与其他的心脏问题相似。要请你的医生明确诊断

How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?怎样诊断动脉动脉硬化症？

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for atherosclerosis may include any, or a combination of, the following:除了完整的病历和身体检查，动脉粥样硬化的诊断程序应当包括任何，或联合的以下项目：

• coronary arteriogram (or angiogram) - with this procedure, x-rays are taken after a contrast agent is injected into an artery - to locate the narrowing, occlusions, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.冠状动脉造影：在把造影剂注入动脉后进行X线摄影，确定冠状动脉狭窄，闭塞，和其它异常的位置。

• Doppler sonography - a special transducer is used to direct sound waves into a blood vessel to evaluate blood flow. An audio receiver amplifies the sound of the blood moving though the vessel. Faintness or absent of sound may indicate an obstruction in the blood flow.多普勒超声图：用一个特殊的转换器引导声波进入血管测量血流。有一个音频接收器放大血流通过血管的声音。声音的衰弱或缺失提示血流有阻塞。

• blood pressure comparison - comparing blood pressure measurements in the ankles and in the arms to determine any constriction in blood flow. Significant differences may indicate a narrowing of vessels which could be caused by atherosclerosis.血压对照：比较在踝部和在上肢测得的血压以确定任何的血流缩减。显著的差别可以提示血管的狭窄，它可以由动脉粥样硬化引起。
• MUGA/radionuclide angiography - a nuclear scan to see how the heart wall moves and how much blood is expelled with each heartbeat, while the patient is at rest. MUGA／放射性核素造影：核素扫描观察病人在静止状态时心壁的运动和每次心跳排出多少血液。
• thallium/myocardial perfusion scan - a nuclear scan given while the patient is at rest or after exercise that may reveal areas of the heart muscle that are not getting enough blood.鉈／心肌灌注扫描：病人在静止状态时或者在运动后进行核素扫描可以显示没有得到足够血液的心肌的区域。

Treatment for atherosclerosis:动脉硬化症的治疗：

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:特效治疗将由你的医生基于以下几点作出决定：

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• the location of the blockage
• the patient's signs and symptoms
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference
• 你的年龄，全面的健康情况，和病史。
• 病的程度。
• 阻塞的位置。
• 病人的体征和症状。
• 你的对于特殊的药物，手术，或其他治疗的耐受性。
• 疾病过程的预后。
• 你的意见或选择。

Treatment may include:治疗可能包括：

• lifestyle modifications to control risk factors, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, and smoking cessation生活方式的改进以控制危险因素，包括有规律的锻炼，适当的营养，和终止吸烟。

• coronary angioplasty - with this procedure, a catheter is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Although angioplasty is performed in other blood vessels, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart. There are several types of PTCA procedures, including:冠状动脉血管成形术：经皮腔内冠状动脉腔内血管成形术（PTCA)，说的是冠状动脉内的血管成形术以使更多的血流供应心脏。目前有几种PTCA的程序，包括如下：
• balloon angioplasty - a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area.球囊血管成形：一个小的球囊在有阻塞的动脉里边扩张，撑开阻塞的区域。
• atherectomy - the blocked area inside the artery is "shaved" away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter.粥样斑清除术：用一根终端带有一个精细装置的心导管刮除动脉内阻塞的区域。
• laser angioplasty - a laser used to "vaporize" the blockage in the artery.激光血管成形术：用激光“气化”动脉内的阻塞物质。
• coronary artery stent - a tiny coil is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area and is left in place to keep the artery open.冠状动脉支架：用球囊导管带进一个细小的网状线圈（支架）在阻塞的动脉内张开来扩张阻塞的区域留在那里以保持那支动脉的开放状态。

返回首页