DECREASE IN CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN NEW-ORLEANS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (3) , 297-301
Abstract
Age- and race-specific data from 2 autopsy studies conducted 10 yr apart on 25-44 yr old New Orleans men were compared. The percentage of coronary intimal surface with raised atherosclerotic lesions was substantially less for white men in the later study. For black men of the same age group, the mean extent of raised atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries changed only slightly. Fatty streaks were less extensive in both races in the 2nd study period. Total surface involvement with coronary atherosclerosis in both black and white men was less in the 2nd study. This apparent reduction in coronary atherosclerosis is consistent with recent evidence of diminishing coronary heart disease mortality in the USA. Surveillance of the extent of atherosclerotic lesions measured at autopsy may be an effective indicator of secular trends in coronary heart disease.