What Researchers Did
This review examined factors that contribute to the development of plaque in arteries and whether these plaques can shrink or disappear.
What They Found
The review found evidence that plaque in human arteries can regress, particularly from postwar studies and observations of people with chronic wasting diseases. Animal experiments, including those involving cholesterol feeding and withdrawal, and the effects of hyperoxia and drugs, also showed that certain types of arterial plaque could be made to shrink.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
While this review is from 1976, the concept of atheroma regression is significant for Canadian patients at risk of heart disease and stroke. Understanding factors like hyperoxia that can influence plaque regression could inform future preventive or therapeutic strategies for arterial health.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this review is its publication date of 1976, meaning it does not reflect the last several decades of research advancements in atheroma regression or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.