Pathology of centerarians. I. The cardiovascular system and lungs

The cardiovascular and lung lesions in 23 centenarians (7 males and 16 females) were examined pathologically. The heart showed varied degrees of hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis was present in 15 of the 23 patients. Coronary arteriosclerosis was noted coincidentally. In addition to these findings, amyloid deposition was seen in the hearts of 8 patients. Generalized atherosclerosis of the arterial tree was severe to moderate in all cases. Bronchopneumonia was present in 15 of the 23 patients, and fresh or old thromboembolism in 8. There was a tendency toward emphysema and chronic bronchitis in the structure of the lung. The frequent occurrence of myocardial fibrosis and bronchopneumonia was characteristic in the series. It was significant that cardiac amyloid deposition was noted in these cases.