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Rhythmic structures and atherosclerosis in the aorta
A M Vikhert1, N H Sternby, A M Livshits
1All Union Cardiology Research Center, Moscow, USSR.
Insights
Rhythmic structures (RS) in aortas were common in young adults, more frequent in the abdominal region. These wave-like findings were linked to a higher incidence of fibrous plaques, suggesting a potential precursor role.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular pathology
- Histology
- Aortic diseases
Background:
- Rhythmic structures (RS), also termed 'wave-lines', are observed in aortic tissues.
- The prevalence and pathological significance of RS require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and distribution of rhythmic structures in the aorta.
- To explore the relationship between rhythmic structures and the development of fibrous plaques.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aortic specimens from 380 males and 201 females aged 10–39 years.
- Geographical data collection from Malmö, Prague, and Yalta.
- Histological examination to identify and quantify RS and fibrous plaques.
Main Results:
- RS were present in 56% of males and 54% of females across diverse locations.
- RS were significantly more prevalent in the abdominal aorta (68%) than the thoracic aorta (32%).
- A statistically significant association was found between the presence of RS and fibrous plaques, with plaques often located at the same site as RS.
Conclusions:
- Rhythmic structures are common in the aortas of young adults.
- RS may represent an early stage in the development of fibrous plaques in the aorta.
- The findings suggest a potential precursor role for RS in aortic atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
The presence of so-called rhythmic structures (RS) or 'wave-lines' was studied in aortic specimens from 380 males and 201 females of ages between 10 and 39 years, from Malmö, Sweden, Prague, CSSR, and Yalta, Ukraine. RS were found in 56% of the males and 54% of the females, but with some sex differences between cities: in Malmö they were more frequent in males, in Yalta in females, but in Prague no sex difference was found. RS were significantly more common in the abdominal than in the thoracic part (68% and 32%, respectively). All stages of transformation of rhythmic structures into fibrous plaques can be found. In aortas with RS, fibrous plaques were statistically more frequent than in aortas without RS, and the fibrous plaques were mostly found in the same location as the RS.