What Is Coronary Occlusion?

A coronary occlusion is related to arteriosclerosis, more commonly known as heart disease. Arteriosclerosis is caused by a buildup of calcium deposits in the arteries that feed blood to the heart. As calcium continues to grow, it blocks blood flow to heart cells, especially the apex of the heart, and the cells die. After too many cells die, damage to the heart causes heart attacks and possible cardiac arrest. When complete blockage in the arteries exists, it's defined as a total coronary occlusion. When this occlusion persists for more than three months, it's referred as chronic coronary occlusion.

Symptoms

• Arteriosclerosis develops slowly, so there are no clinical symptoms or signs. Occasionally, the calcium buildup can break apart and travel to other areas of the body, like the brain, and cause strokes. Other symptoms don't occur until complete blockage is present and the patient suffers a heart attack. If arteriosclerosis develops in arteries of the heart, the patient may experience chest pains. Numbness and dizziness occur in patients with developing arteriosclerosis in the arteries of the brain.

Clinical Disease

• Other complications can increase the risk of arteriosclerosis. High cholesterol, hypertension and obesity are some common conditions that can lead to heart disease. Additionally, diabetes can exacerbate the symptoms of heart disease as a secondary condition.

Causes

• The slow development of coronary occlusions can begin as early as childhood. Researchers believe that the trigger for coronary occlusions is related to damage in the inner lining of the arterial tissue. Damage of arterial walls is caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or nicotine from cigarettes.

Treatment

• There are several marketed drugs that ameliorate symptoms of coronary occlusions, and some that completely reverse the disease. The main drug used to lower the amount of plaque buildup on the arterial walls is LDL reducing drugs like Lipitor. Reducing LDL cholesterol and promoting HDL cholesterol greatly reduces arteriosclerosis. Other drugs including anti-coagulants help eliminate clots reducing the chance of stroke or heart attack.

Surgery

• In some instances, patients need surgical procedures to remove the plaque. Angioplasty is a procedure using a balloon that opens arteries pressing the plaque up against the walls. A wire mesh is used to keep the arteries permanently open preventing further buildup. Endarterectomy is also used, which is a surgical procedure that completely removes deposits from the arterial walls. The surgery is usually done in areas around the neck.