[Vulnerable high-risk plaque (thin cap fibroatheroma): vulnerable patient/vulnerable blood].

Coronary plaque disruption and subsequent thrombosis is the major recognized pathogenetic component of "vulnerable plaques", which characterize the transition from stable coronary artery disease to acute coronary syndromes. Autopsy studies have characterized a subgroup of high-risk, or vulnerable, plaques that result in acute coronary syndromes or sudden cardiac death. In recent years, cardiovascular research has sought potential strategies for detecting high-risk plaques before their disruption. This review focuses on definition of vulnerable plaque and vulnerable patients and the diagnostic modalities using identification of the vulnerable/high-risk plaques.