Diseases of the blood vessels and thrombosis

Cardiovascular disease and thrombo-embolic events are major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. In this chapter we review current thinking of the pathophysiology of the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Vascular diseases may also be inheritable; this includes the connective tissue diseases (i.e. Marfan) and venous malformations (i.e. Klippel–Trenaunay). Inflammation is a unifying factor in vascular disease. A specific type of inflammatory process, vasculitis, that affect arteries of varying sizes is discussed. The pathophysiology of peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and venous disease are reviewed in more depth.