Coronary Artery Disease USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 56-year-old man with hyperlipidemia and hypertension presents with acute chest pain and dyspnea. Vital signs: BP 168/94 mmHg, HR 102 bpm, RR 20/min, SpO2 98% on room air. ECG shows ST elevation in leads V1-V4. Troponin I is elevated at 2.8 ng/mL. Coronary angiography reveals rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque in the left anterior descending artery with subsequent thrombosis. No prior myocardial infarction history. Which cell type most directly weakens the fibrous cap by secreting metalloproteinases?
Answer choices
- AMacrophagesCorrect answer
- BPlatelets
- CSmooth muscle cells
- DNeutrophils
- EEndothelial cells
- FMast cells
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