[Interrelationship between atherosclerotic changes in different arterial basins].

The evaluation of atherosclerosis of 310 sets of arteries stained with sudan IV was done visually by the planimetric method using the WHO criteria. Based on the evaluation in each case of 50 arterial segments, standardized values were calculated for the 9 main basins which permitted to determine the place of each vascular area in the atherosclerotic process and to reveal its characteristic features in different basins. The development of atherosclerosis in the human arterial system was of systemic nature as indicated by significant positive correlations between various basins. The severity of the involvement of one vascular area, however, was not an adequate indication of the severity of involvement of the other systems. Since the area of the involvement did not always reflect the severity of the process, it is suggested that the severity of atherosclerosis be evaluated by strength of correlation between the area of raised lesions and severe stenoses and occlusions.