[Role of inflammatory cellular infiltrates in the pathogenesis of human coronary arteriosclerosis (author's transl)].

The ramus interventricularis anterior of the arteria coronaria cordis sinistra and the initial part of the arteria coronaria cordis dextra of 125 human patients aged between 20 and 90 years were studied for the occurrence and localisation of inflammatory cellular infiltrates in the vessel walls. A correlation between a pronounced inflammatory cellular infiltration and the presence and degree of severity of coronary arteriosclerosis was established. An inflammatory or immunpathologic cause of coronary arteriosclerosis is rejected. The highest incidence of inflammatory infiltrates was observed in the adventitia within the plaque area. Isolated macrophages were found to be present in all vessel wall layers and age groups.