Atherosclerosis: Patterns and Rates of Progression

Abstract

Despite considerable progress during the past several decades in the acquisition of knowledge about the anatomicopathologic changes that occur in the arterial wall, the exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown. Our experience with more than 15,000 patients treated over a period of more than two decades has provided highly informative observations about the various patterns of arterial atherosclerotic occlusion as well as the natural course of the disease. For one thing, arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis tends to assume certain characteristic anatomic, pathologic, and clinical patterns. Moreover, the disease is often segmental, with relatively normal proximal and distal arterial beds, although other forms may show a more generalized distribution. Recognition of the different clinical patterns of atherosclerosis made institution of successful surgical procedures possible.

Supported in part by U. S. Public Health Service, National Heart and Blood Institute grant HL-17269, The National Heart and Blood Vessel Research and Demonstration Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.