Coronary atherosclerosis and hair elements contents. A correlation study of 102 autopsy subjects using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis and applying an atherometric system.

An atherometric system (AS) was used to study the coronary atherosclerotic lesions of a consecutive series of 102 autopsies divided into two groups according to the principal cause of death, the myocardial infarction and the low atherosclerosis groups, respectively (MIG 67 cases, LAG 35 cases). The hair elements contents (K, Ca, Zn, Br, Sr, Pb, S, Cl, Cu, and their rates Ca/Sr, Zn/Cu and Ca/K) were determined by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis. A PEARSON correlation analysis was done between each element and the following descriptive arterial variables of the AS: fatty streaks (X), fibrous plaques (Y), severe (complicated plus calcified) plaques (Z) and total atherosclerosis (sigma) and the three weighted indices of the AS: obstruction (omega), stenosis (P) and benignity (B). These variables were obtained from the three major epicardial branches of the coronary arteries (right RC, left anterior descending LAD and left circumflex LC). From a total of 189 possible correlations between the 9 elements and their 3 combinations and the 7 variables of the AS in the three coronary arteries, 86 (45.5%) were significant. The fatty streak was the best correlated variable. It correlated with all elements with the only exception of chloride. The fibrous plaque was poorly correlated. The severe plaques and total atherosclerosis correlated mainly with Zn and Pb in the MIG and Sr in the LAG. The weighted indices have the same behaviour. Also some correlations were found between K, Ca, Zn, Br, Sr, Pb, Ca/Sr, Zn/Cu and Ca/K ratios with some of the variables of the AS in each coronary artery.