[Quantitative morphology of the coronary arteries in acute coronary death].

93 hearts were examined angiographically and morphometrically. The quantitative findings in coronary arteries of 30 cases of sudden coronary death could be compared with 30 cases of non-cardiac death and coronary sclerosis. Applying discriminant analysis a linear function T has been found, considering the measures of intima plane, lumen plane, maximum grade of stenosis and weight of the heart. This method points toward a critical constellation of factors which speaks for an acute lethal coronary insufficiency and is helpful in solving problems of causality and legal questions. The different quantitative results of lumen, intima and media are shown in cases with normal coronary arteries, with coronary sclerosis and in cases of sudden coronary death.