Biomaterial Database

Infection and intimal thickening: evidence from coronary arteries in children. 1994

E Pesonen

Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Post-mortem examination in children may reveal narrowing of coronary artery diameter by up to 60% due to intimal thickening. This is statistically associated with recent or intercurrent infection. Endothelial injury is known to be caused by septicaemia, for example, and endothelial injury initiates atherogenesis. Elevation of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) levels is a feature of both septicaemia and atheroma, and TNF alpha can damage endothelium, stimulate platelet-derived-growth-factor (PDGF) secretion and thereby promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Episodes of infection-related endothelial damage, leading to intimal thickening followed by partial regression, may start in infancy and contribute cumulatively to the development of coronary atheroma.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003327	Coronary Disease	An imbalance between myocardial functional requirements and the capacity of the CORONARY VESSELS to supply sufficient blood flow. It is a form of MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA (insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle) caused by a decreased capacity of the coronary vessels.	Coronary Heart Disease,Coronary Diseases,Coronary Heart Diseases,Disease, Coronary,Disease, Coronary Heart,Diseases, Coronary,Diseases, Coronary Heart,Heart Disease, Coronary,Heart Diseases, Coronary
D003331	Coronary Vessels	The veins and arteries of the HEART.	Coronary Arteries,Sinus Node Artery,Coronary Veins,Arteries, Coronary,Arteries, Sinus Node,Artery, Coronary,Artery, Sinus Node,Coronary Artery,Coronary Vein,Coronary Vessel,Sinus Node Arteries,Vein, Coronary,Veins, Coronary,Vessel, Coronary,Vessels, Coronary
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017539	Tunica Intima	The innermost layer of an artery or vein, made up of one layer of endothelial cells and supported by an internal elastic lamina.	Internal Elastic Lamella,Internal Elastic Lamina,Tunica Intima Vasorum,Vascular Intima,Arterial Intima,Venous Intima,Arterial Intimas,Elastic Lamella, Internal,Elastic Lamina, Internal,Internal Elastic Laminas,Intima, Arterial,Intima, Vascular,Intima, Venous,Lamella, Internal Elastic,Lamina, Internal Elastic,Vascular Intimas,Venous Intimas
D018805	Sepsis	Systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a proven or suspected infectious etiology. When sepsis is associated with organ dysfunction distant from the site of infection, it is called severe sepsis. When sepsis is accompanied by HYPOTENSION despite adequate fluid infusion, it is called SEPTIC SHOCK.	Bloodstream Infection,Pyaemia,Pyemia,Pyohemia,Blood Poisoning,Poisoning, Blood,Septicemia,Severe Sepsis,Blood Poisonings,Bloodstream Infections,Infection, Bloodstream,Poisonings, Blood,Pyaemias,Pyemias,Pyohemias,Sepsis, Severe,Septicemias