'Hemorrhagic' and microvascular phenomena within the arterial wall.
OBJECTIVE
To study microvasculature and hemorrhage within the arterial wall.


METHODS
Human autopsy specimens of the arch of the aorta, the carotid, brachiocephalic, subclavian and coronary arteries perfused with liquid casting material and maintained at physiological pressure until the material had set.


RESULTS
Evidence of dense microvasculature and other phenomena which have the morphological appearance of 'hemorrhage' within the arterial wall, coupled with calcified matter and other impressions made on the cast by atherosclerotic plaques.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings lend support to suggestions in the literature that neovascularization may play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis and its sequelae, that hemorrhage into the intima may be due to rupture of capillaries which are derived from the coronary lumen, and that an increase in microvasculature occurs in the immediate vicinity of localized atherosclerotic lesions.
D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*