Arteriosclerosis: rethinking the current classification.

CONTEXT: Arteriosclerosis is the vascular disease that is the leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries. Currently, there are 3 lesions within the broader category of arteriosclerosis: atherosclerosis, Mönckeberg medial calcific sclerosis, and arteriolosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we discuss the history of the terminology and current classification of arteriosclerosis and problems with the current classification. We also discuss recently described new arterial lesions that are not in the current classification.

DATA SOURCES: In spite of the prevalence and importance of arteriosclerotic vascular disease, and the widespread use of the current terminology, there are major problems with the current classification: (1) the current classification has an inconsistent naming convention, (2) the classification fails to use terms that accurately describe the lesions, and (3) important arterial lesions are absent from the classification. In addition, although the terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis describe different lesions, these terms are often used interchangeably.

CONCLUSION

Consideration should be given for a new more inclusive and accurate classification of "arteriosclerotic" lesions that more accurately reflects the pathology of these important vascular lesions.