Mineralization of human aortas with coarctation: quantitative electron probe microanalysis

Aortas with coarctation (isthmus stenosis) are obviously an ideal model to investigate pressure dependent changes of the aorta, as one can compare the proximal region (high pressure) with the distal region (low pressure). 7 aortas of patients aged from 2 months to 54 years were investigated. The concentrations of Na, Mg, P, S, C1, K, and Ca were determined by electronprobe microanalysis. Ca and P are constituent parts of the developing mineral and are mainly discussed. The Ca/P ratio (by weight) is about 0.3 in the unmineralized and about 2 in the mineralized tissue. Mineralization is demonstrated by a parallel increase of Ca, P, and the Ca/P ratio. Enrichments of Ca and P are found above all in a subintimal band. Usually they occur proximally and distally, but are much more pronounced proximally. Even in the aorta of a 2 month old infant enrichments were found proximally, but not distally. Thus mineral deposits occur very early in regions of hypertension. The differences between the proximal and distal region may demonstrate the influence of blood pressure on vascular mineralization. The mineralization starts in small compartments, which increase in size and number in the process of mineralization. Mineralized regions could often be localized by cathodoluminescence. But to demonstrate and localize the initial mineral deposits and to quantify element contents, electronprobe microanalysis became indispensable.