Correlation of the Antemortem Coronary Arteriogram and the Postmortem Specimen

Correlative studies were carried out on the coronary arteriograms made during diagnostic procedures and on the specimens obtained at necropsy in 10 cases of coronary heart disease. Of the 134 segments of coronary arteries available for both studies, 44 (33%) were given false-negative arteriographic diagnosis of obstructive atherosclerosis. Factors which may underlie this discrepancy include (1) radiographic technic, (2) projection used, (3) a slitlike lumen adjacent to the atheroma, (4) comparison of severely obstructed segments involved but less severely obstructed, and (5) misinterpretation from the specimen of obstruction present in life.