Topography of human aortic sudanophilic lesions.

The topographic distribution of sudanophilic lesions in the human aorta has been defined using probability-of-occurrence maps for a population dying of trauma (male, black and white, 15-29 years, n = 109). The maps demonstrate that sudanophilic lesions are localized with a characteristic topography. Regions of high probability (greater than 60%) occurred in close proximity to regions of low probability (less than 10%). Although some high-probability areas are associated with expected low wall shear stress regions, many other high probability areas are not and thus no specific causal hemodynamic localizing factors could be identified. The probability maps do however form an important basis for the development of rational strategies of tissue sampling in studies concerned with the characterization of localizing factors (biochemical, cellular, hemodynamic, and structural) and their relationship to putative atherogenic mechanisms.