[Quantitative morphological studies on pulmonary arteriole in coal workers].

Pulmonary arteriole was measured and analyzed in 48 coal workers with an image analysis apparatus to study its pathological features and its relation to cor pulmonale. Results showed that the pathological changes surrounding pulmonary arteriole became more serious and the wall of arteriole thickened with the stage of pneumoconiosis developed and dust deposit increased. Percentages of wall thickness of the arteriole with a diameter less than 200 microns and area of the vessel cavity correlated with the complication of cor pulmonale.