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Changes with age in muscular pulmonary arteries
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|April 1, 1977
Summary
Arterial wall thickness in normal lungs increases with age, potentially due to increased muscularity or interstitial fluid accumulation. This study analyzed 100 muscular arteries across a wide age range.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Aging Biology
Background:
- The relationship between age and arterial wall characteristics in normal lungs is not fully understood.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively analyzed muscular artery wall thickness in relation to external diameter across a broad age spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the mean wall thickness relative to external diameter in normal pulmonary muscular arteries.
- To investigate the influence of age on these arterial dimensions and identify potential contributing factors.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of mean wall thickness and external diameter of 100 muscular arteries from normal lungs (age 3-79 years).
- Arteries were distended using barium gelatin at a standardized pressure (100cm H2O).
- Analysis of intimal fibrosis prevalence in relation to age.
Main Results:
- The mean wall thickness was 2.4% of the external diameter for vessels < 2 mm.
- Vessels from individuals under 40 years showed a mean thickness of 1.8%, compared to 2.8% in older individuals.
- Intimal fibrosis increased with age but was present in less than 50% of measured vessels.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary artery wall thickness increases with age, possibly due to increased vessel muscularity or reduced distensibility from interstitial fluid accumulation.
- Age-related changes in pulmonary artery structure, including intimal fibrosis, are evident but vary in prevalence.