Coronary artery pathology of 111 consecutive Nigerians

A detailed study of the coronary arteries of 111 consecutive necropsies at Ile-Ife, Nigeria is reported. Coronary occlusive disease occurred in eight (7.2%) subjects and involved less than 50% of luminal size in five, and greater than 50% of luminal size in three subjects. Previous medical history was available in four of eight subjects and all four had hypertension. All three subjects with greater than 50% luminal occlusion were hypertensive patients and professionals, one was additionally diabetic and a heavy smoker and serum cholesterol (available in one) was 250 mg/ml. The mean age of the subjects with moderate and severe disease was 54 (range 35 to 71) years. Thus coronary occlusive disease among Nigerians occurred in elderly, affluent and hypertensive patients exposed to Western diets and habits.