Correlation between the level of atherosclerosis and pathological features of coronary artery disease: A study of 100 autopsy cases

Abstract

Objective: Atherosclerosis is a generalized, chronic disease of large and medium-sized muscular elastic arteries. Relation between intensity of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, and risk factors of atherosclerosis could not been revealed completely by autopsy studies. We aimed to renew this shortage of knowledge with our autopsy study prospectively.

Methods: One hundred cases were autopsied within 48 h after death. Atherosclerotic risk factor data were collected including age, gender, height, weight, smoking and any chronic coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis severity was evaluated macroscopically by examining the inner surfaces of the vascular lumens and revealed with postmortem pathological findings of coronary artery disease.

Results: The mean age was 42 +/- 22 years. Seventy-four percent of cases were male, while 26% were female. Smoking duration ranged from 1 to 50 years with a mean duration of 17 +/- 12 years. Existence of atherosclerosis in main vessels were also in correlation with age, duration of smoking and BMI (Body Mass Index) (p<.05.) significantly. Existence of coronary artery disease at autopsy were in correlation with existence of atherosclerosis in thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta and subclavian artery significantly (p<.05.), but not in correlation with those in carotid artery (p>.05.).

Conclusion: Atherosclerosis in main arteries except those in carotid artery was a good indicator of coronary artery disease.