Treating Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque from the Perspective of "Abscess and Ulcer within the Vessels"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.12.018
- VernacularTitle:从“脉内痈疡”论治动脉粥样硬化易损斑块
- Author:
Yajie WANG
1
;
Min WU
1
;
Zihao ZHANG
2
;
Zeping WANG
2
;
Longtao LIU
1
Author Information
1. Guang'anmen Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing，100053
2. Xiyuan Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
atherosclerosis;
vulnerable plaque;
deficiency;
stasis;
toxin;
abscesses and ulcers within the vessels
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(12):1349-1352
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The morphological characteristics and pathological progression of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis （AS） exhibit a high degree of similarity to the concept of "abscesses and ulcers" in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Therefore， vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques can be analogized as "abscesses and ulcers within the vessels"， for which deficiency， stasis and toxin constitute the core pathogenesis. The pathological evolution progresses through three sequential stages， deficiency leading to pathological substances， with phlegm and stasis accumulating into a mass； the mass transforming into putridity， with internal decay and external thinning； putridity brewing toxin， and toxin accumulation threatening rupture， ultimately resulting in plaque instability. Accordingly， a stage-specific treatment strategy is established. In the early stage， it is suggested to supplement deficiency， resolve the mass， dissipate stasis， and prevent putridity， using Liujunzi Decoction （六君子汤） combined with Danshen Decoction （丹参饮） with modifications. In the middle stage， the treatment should focus on transforming putridity to generate new tissue， and rectifying healthy qi to consolidate the body， with modified Tuoli Xiaodu Powder （托里消毒散）. In the late stage， the treatment principle is clearing and resolving putridity toxin， cooling the blood， and preventing ulcerative rupture， using modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction （四妙勇安汤） combined with Xijiao Dihuang Decoction （犀角地黄汤）.
