I have learnt from Khan Academy's video on atheresclerosis that when the endothelial cells of an artery are damaged, atheroma forms at the site, and if the atheroma’s fibrous cap is ruptured, thrombogenic material is released from the atheroma, causing a blood clot. Having read other articles on this issue, this phenomenon is known as the atherothrombosis. And I believe that the fact that atheroma is formed before thrombosis is because thrombogenic material isn’t released when endothelial cells are damaged; thus cholesterol deposits in the area to form atheroma first.
However, in another video, when endothelial cells in blood vessels are damaged, platelet activation occurs due to the exposed collagen, and thrombosis occurs. Why is it that blood clotting occurs first instead of atheroma?
I have also learnt from my other question on Biology StackExchange that hypoxemia in the valve pocket of the large veins can cause endothelial damage that triggers the clotting cascade.
Therefore, I am confused as to which of atheroma or blood clot is formed first when endothelial cells are damaged; and if either one is formed first, why is that so? I’m certain that after a blood clot is formed, atheroma won’t be formed as I’ve not found any article that supports this sequence.
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