Critics say a new, broader definition of high-risk plaque opens the door to more tests, diagnoses, and invasive procedures, steering us down a potentially harmful path.

With “plaque rupture” or “plaque erosion,” the thin fibrous cap covering the plaque is disrupted or ulcerated. This exposes the blood flow to tissue factor, activates the clotting cascade ...

The mechanism is usually plaque rupture causing thrombus; however, plaque erosion or progressive hemodynamic stenosis can contribute as well. When an anterior myocardial infarction extends to the ...