[Age and features of atherosclerosis and primary calcinosis of the tunica media of the major arteries of the pelvis and lower extremities (morphometric study)].

Morphometrical studies were done on 432 longitudinally dissected arteries of the pelvis and lower extremities from 216 fatalities in the age of over 40 years (151 men, 65 women). The atherosclerotic process was found to develop and progress most intensively in the common iliac and popliteal arteries, the third place in the average area of the intima involvement belonging to the femoral artery, while the external iliac and posterior tibial arteries were less affected. In one third of the arteries examined the primary calcinosis of tunica media was found. An inverse relationship between the area of atherosclerotic changes in the intima and the area of primary calcinosis in the media of the vessels was demonstrated. In the lower extremities arteries the fibrinoplastic type of morphogenesis of atherosclerosis was predominant and "complicated" lesions were relatively rare. These data may be the basis for specification of the morphological diagnosis of atherosclerosis and for selection of rational surgical treatment.