[Comparative characteristics of arteriosclerosis of the aorta, subclavian, iliac and femoral arteries in the populations of Riga and Samarkand].

Visual-planimetric evaluation of atherosclerosis of the aorta, subclavian, iliac, and femoral arteries in men of 50--64 who had died in Riga and Samarkand was carried out. The values characterizing the extent and severity of atherosclerosis of these arteries in the indigenous and non-indigenous population of these cities were calculated. Differences in the morphological features and course of atherosclerosis of arteries of the extremities in relation to the place of residence were established. No significant differences in the development of atherosclerotic changes of arteries of the extremities between indigenous and non-indigenous residents of Riga were found. The indigenous residents of Samarkand had low values of the area of atherosclerotic changes of the blood vessels of the extremities as well as low frequency of stenoses and obliterating lesions as compared with the non-indigenous residents. The observed differences indicate the importance of climatic-geographical and genetic factors and national-environmental features of the way of life in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases of the extremities.