Ateroskleroza in tromboza (Slovene)

Our research group is active in the field of investigation of pathogenesis and management of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. We were one of the first research team, investigating some crucial pathogenetic mechanisms and impacts of prevention of treatment of atherosclerotic and thrombembolic disease not only in Slovenia but also in Europe. We identified some factors which are involved in basic mechanisms of atherosclerotic process and we showed that besides classical risk factors also some other factors like inflammation and genetic polymorphisms are involved in atherosclerotic and thrombembolic events. Our group also introduced and ugraduated methods for detection of preclinical functional and morphologic deterioration of vessel wall. Further, we confirmed the hypothesis that it is possible to detect inflammatory process in atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. These results are of crucial importance because our group was one of the first showing that using non invasive diagnostic methods it is possible to detect inflammatory and unstable atherosclerotic plaques representing the highest risk of cardiovascular complications. Further, some studies investigating the efficacy of drugs used in prevention of treatment of atherosclerosis, are very important from clinical point of view. It was namely showed that for estimating of effect of drugs and other preventive measures, it is not enough to follow the surrogate end-points like blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but to check their influence on cardiovascular system: functional and morphologic deterioration of vessel wall which is crucial in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Results of our studies were published in recognized international journals and we hope that our findings will importantly influence the knowledge of management of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, which represents one of the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality of citizens in developed in and developing countries.

The importance of research activities of our research group is presented in chapter 9.1 and results of our investigations are important for international as well as for Slovenian research.