[Introduction to current problems in arteriosclerosis research].

Preliminarily is referred to essential aspects of the aetiology of arteriosclerosis with particular consideration of the disturbed lipoprotein metabolism. Morphologically in the centre of pathogenetic considerations is the behaviour of the endothelial cells, the smooth muscle cells and the blood macrophages. As in many cases open problems we refer to the different participation of various arterial parts of the vessels in the arteriosclerotic process, to the necessity of a further clarification of the role of the thrombocytes in the initial phase of the arteriosclerosis as well as to the monocytes and their possible importance for the elimination of lipids from the vascular wall, the influence of drugs on the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and the formation of extracellular matrix, the question of the regression of arteriosclerotic changes, the reduction of risk factors and their influence on the regression of morphological changes in various developmental stages of arteriosclerosis. It is referred to the possible importance of macrophages and their metabolism as markers for the recognition of risk-endangered persons. Furthermore is emphasized the importance of models for the clarification of the pathomechanism of the arteriosclerosis as well as of the cell culture and of perfusion models.