[The role of rhythmic structures of the aortic intima in the development of atherosclerosis].

A study was made of 606 specimens from dead males aged 20 to 39. The frequency and area of rhythmical structures (RS) of lipid spots and fibrous patches of aorta were determined after staining of aortae with Sudan IV. RSs were revealed in persons aged 20-29 and 30-39 in 70%. RS in the abdominal aorta was more frequent than in the thoracic aorta: at the age of 20-29-57.4 +/- 3 and 48.6 +/- 3.1%, at the age of 30-39-65.2 +/- 2.6 and 38.5 +/- 2.5%, respectively. There was no correlation between the mean expression of lipidosis and the frequency of RS in the aortic intima. In the presence of aortic RS fibrous patches were 4-5-fold more frequent than in their absence. In young patients fibrous patches often (in 80%) have macroscopic signs of development on RS site. The area of fibrous patches was 4-6-fold larger in persons with aortic RS than in those without RS.