re: Heart Surgeon declares "we were wrong" re causes of heart disease

Not exactly an earth shattering revelation. Inflammation is the natural response to injury. The pathophysiology behind plaque formation is well-defined and requires the production of cell adhesion molecules (VCAM). His oversimplification as to the cause is a bit suspect though. Some injury may result from a chemotactic response, others may be physical/mechanical. It's simple enough to understand the difference between omega 3 and 6 and the production of anti or pro-inflammatory cytokines. But, it doesn't fully answer the question as to what caused the initial injury. Also, the heart is highly susceptible to oxidative damage from oxygen free radicals converting to peroxyl radicals and peroxide. The lack of catalase in the heart and the overabundance of iron forces peroxide through the Fenton pathway and the ultimate production of more damaging hydroxyl radicals. So his observation is correct. I'm less convinced by his ultimate conclusion; though likely beneficial.