THE RIGHT VENTRICLE AND THE SMALL PULMONARY ARTERIES IN COALWORKERS

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Abstract
Hearts obtained at necropsy from 48 coalworkers (free of myocardial disease) had a left ventricle (LV) ratio obtained by full dissection which correlated right ventricle (RV) well with the LV/RV ratio obtained by weighing the free walls removed close to the septum. In areas of lung showing only simple pneumocoriosis normal vessels were the rule. Areas of massive fibrosis of the tissue were relatively avascular and there was distortion of vessels, degeneration and evidence of lumen reduction by disease of vessel wall or thrombosis. An analysis based on the state of the right ventricle snowed severe hypertrophy in 31 cases with an LV/RV ratio below 1.1. Of these, 9 had progressive massive fibrosis.