The atherosclerotic plaque is the hallmark of atherosclerosis; it is an evolution of the fatty streak and has 3 major components: Lipids Inflammatory and smooth muscle cells A connective tissue matrix that may contain thrombi in various stages of organization and calcium deposits Atherosclerotic plaque formation All stages of atherosclerosis—from initiation and growth to complication of the plaque (eg, myocardial infarction, stroke) —are considered an inflammatory response to injury mediated by specific cytokines.