Comparison of atherosclerosis in alaska Natives and nonnatives.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that Alaska Natives have fewer atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries and aorta than nonnative Alaska residents.


METHODS
Systematic standardized collection and evaluation of coronary arteries and aortas collected at autopsy.


METHODS
Forensic autopsy service in Alaska.


METHODS
One hundred thirty Alaska Natives and 115 Alaska nonnatives who underwent forensic autopsy between February 1989 and December 1993.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Prevalence and extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortas and coronary arteries in both populations studied.


RESULTS
Alaska Natives had significantly lower prevalence and extent of raised atherosclerotic lesions in the abdominal aorta and coronary arteries than nonnative Alaska residents.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in coronary heart disease mortality between Alaska Natives and nonnatives are, at least in part, the result of fewer atherosclerotic lesions in Alaska Natives.
Newman
W P
WP
Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Middaugh
J P
JP
Guzman
M A
MA
Propst
M T
MT
Rogers
D R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology