Density of intimal smooth muscle cells in the coronary arteries of Bolivians

Objective. - To test an equation that uses measurements of fibroplastic intimal thickening and foam cell infiltrates, precursors for necrotic cores of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries, to compute anticipated amounts of atheronecrosis. Data from New Orleans, La, and La Paz, Bolivia, afforded the opportunity to test the precision of the equation by comparing findings in separate populations. Methods. - Coronary arteries retrieved at autopsy in La Paz, Bolivia, were processed into hematoxylin-eosin-stained paraffin sections along with a parallel series in New Orleans. Results. - The Bolivian data fit the equation without modification. Findings showed the precursors of atheronecrosis to progress at the slowest rate in Bolivians, at the fastest rate in New Orleans men, and at an intermediate rate in New Orleans women. Conclusions. - The population with the most extensive atheronecrosis in aging subjects also had the greatest degrees of precursor changes in young adults. An equation that describes these principles precisely applies equally well to all three of the populations examined here, which are the only ones studied to date.