[Intima and subintimal space as the site of the initial lesions in the formation of arteriosclerosis].

Experiments were conducted under various conditions, including hypoxaemia, endothelial damage by means of balloon catheterisation, cholesterol feeding, administration of lipofundin, and obstruction of lymphatic drainage. As a result, damage to endothelial cells along with increase in permeability is considered to be the initial process in the development of arteriosclerosis. This is followed by penetration of plasma, formation of fibrinoid in the subendothelial layer and in the media as well as by a number of cellular phenomena, the latter including adhesion of thrombocytes, penetration of monocytes into the intimal space, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Cellular, fibromuscular lesion is, eventually, caused as a result of those processes.