Atherosclerotic lesion Type VI atherosclerotic lesion 2017-12-17T17:45:52Z Type VI atherosclerotic lesions generally have the underlying morphology of type IV or V lesions, surface disruptions, hematoma, and thrombosis may be (although less often) superimposed on any other type of lesion and even on intima without an apparent lesion. Complicating features may arise because of individual differences in risk factors and tissue reactions. These may include differences in composition of the blood, the relative quantities and distributions in the components of the underlying lesion or intima, as well as modifications of shear and tensile forces to which the lesion or intima is exposed. Clinical imaging of lesions may be expected to contribute greatly to the understanding of type VI lesions and the associated clinical syndromes. Morbidity and mortality from atherosclerosis is largely due to type IV and type V lesions in which disruptions of the lesion surface, hematoma or hemorrhage, and thrombotic deposits have developed. Type IV or V lesions with one or more of these additional features are classified as type VI and may also be referred to as complicated lesions. Type VI may be subdivided by the superimposed features. Thus, disruption of the surface may be labeled type VIa; hematoma or hemorrhage, type VIb; and thrombosis, type VIc. Type VIabc indicates the presence of all three features.