A morphological study of atherosclerotic lesions occurring at the root of aorta

While studying morphological changes in heart 1-3 cm of Aorta was also removed and incidence of atherosclerosis in that portion was studied. In all 110 aortas were examined. Atherosclerotic lesions were observed in 77 aortas (70.0%). The incidence increases with the age and beyond 4th decade all the aortas were affected. Fatty streaks were observed in 2nd decade involving only 7.5% of the total intimal surface and reaching to a maximum of 22.2% in the 3rd decade, followed by a gradual rise to 9.2% in 7th decade. Complicated lesions though occurred in 3rd decade involving 0.7% surface but a maximum coverage (4.5%) was seen in 7th decade. These findings have been discussed in the light of observations of other workers. There is slow progression of fibrous plaques and paucity complicated lesions in Indians as compared to white population. The study has further revealed that the encrustation of mural thrombi is probably the main basis for the progression of the atheromatous lesion.