RESUMO
The histologic characterictics of a standard site in the left interior descending coronary artery of 304 males between 10 and 39 years of age from seven different populations were examined. These seven location-race groups were ranked in the same order as the ranking based upon mean extent of raised atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries and aorta to establish the tendency of each group to develop advanced atherosclerosis. Muscloelastic intimal thickening in the earlier decades does not predict the likelihood to develop severe atherosclerosis. Amount of intimal lipid and degree of cellular infiltration do predict the disposition to develop severe atherosclerosis later in life. Therefore, increased intimal lipid and cellular infiltration characterize coronary artery fatty streaks that are associated with their conversion to fibrous plaques. Necrosis of lipid-containing cells may release intracellular lipid into the extracellular space and thereby incite cellular infiltration and sequelae. (AU)