Compensatory enlargement of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries.

"Glagov remodeling" or the "Glagov phenomenon." In 1987 Glagov showed that as atherosclerotic plaque began to build up within an artery, the arterial wall would expand enough to maintain normal blood flow. Only after the blockage reached about 40 percent was the artery unable to keep pace and blood flow began to decrease.