Which disorder results from the inflammation, rupture, or erosion of atheromatous plaque in the coronary arteries?

• A. Stable angina
• B. Myocardial infarction
• C. Angina pectoris
• D. Acute coronary syndrome

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is the acute event that happens when an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery becomes inflamed and ruptures or erodes. When the plaque tears, subendothelial tissues are exposed, triggering platelet activation and thrombus formation, which can rapidly narrow or completely block the artery and cause myocardial ischemia. This description fits acute coronary syndrome, which includes unstable angina and myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI) as part of a single spectrum. Stable angina, by contrast, results from a fixed, nonruptured plaque and does not involve an acute thrombogenic event. Angina pectoris is a symptom of ischemia, not the disease process itself, and myocardial infarction is a potential outcome within ACS, not the umbrella category for the initiating plaque disruption.