Mast cells are increased in the media of coronary lesions in patients with myocardial infarction and may favor atherosclerotic plaque instability

The presence of MCs in the media of both stable and unstable atherosclerotic coronary lesions after MI suggests that MCs may be involved in the onset of MI and, on the other hand, that MI triggers intra-plaque infiltration of MCs especially in unstable plaques, possibly increasing the risk of re-infarction.