Progression and regression of coronary artery disease—Linkage of clinical, pathologic, and angiographic findings

Progression and regression of coronary artery disease are analyzed with respect to clinical, pathologic, and angiographic findings. Clinically, progression of coronary artery disease is a highly unpredictable process. The pattern of progression is not linear in time but sometimes is rapid and other times is slow. The atherosclerotic lesion is not pathologically homogeneous. Regression therapies, therefore, might be effective depending on the composition of the lesion and the phase of atherosclerotic evolution. True clinical regression should be concordant with the clinical improvement of symptoms as well as prognosis. Further studies are required to establish the effectiveness of therapy for the prevention of progressive coronary artery disease.