Key result
Histopathological analysis of 58 internal mammary artery segments revealed severe atherosclerosis (>50% narrowing) in only 5% of postmortem cases and 0% of surgical cases.
Observational (n=58)
Histopathological analysis confirms that the internal mammary artery rarely develops significant atherosclerosis, supporting its status as a protected vessel and preferred conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting.
Supports IMA preference in CABG; leaves open need for prospective confirmation of atherosclerosis resistance.
To evaluate internal mammary artery (IMA) atherosclerosis in our population, 38 segments of IMA obtained at the time of coronary surgery and 20 segments of IMA obtained at postmortem studies were histologically studied. Hematoxilin-eosin, Masson trichromic, elastic fibers and reticulin fibers were the stain methods used. A total of 236 sections were studied. Atherosclerosis was graded from 0 to 4 according to Kay and co-workers. Severe disease, with more than 50% luminal narrowing was found in one necropsy case (5%) and in no surgical case. In the surgical group, only one case (2.36%) showed a degree 3 luminal narrowing (between 25% and 50% luminal reduction). The remaining sections were normal or minimally affected. It is concluded that the IMA shows minimal atherosclerotic changes, being considered a protected vessel.
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Mestres et al. (1986) conducted an observational in Atherosclerosis (n=58). Internal mammary artery (IMA) atherosclerosis was evaluated on Degree of atherosclerosis (graded 0 to 4) and luminal narrowing. Histopathological analysis of 58 internal mammary artery segments revealed severe atherosclerosis (>50% narrowing) in only 5% of postmortem cases and 0% of surgical cases.
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