Avaliação da aterosclerose nas artérias ilíacas de pacientes autopsiados

Abstract

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the iliac arteries occurs asymptomatically and is associated with systemic atherosclerosis, which contributes to high mortality rates. Objectives: to evaluate the macroscopic and microscopic intensity of atherosclerosis; measure the thickness of the intima and middle layers; quantify the percentage of lipid deposits and collagen fibers, right and left iliac arteries, and associate these data with risk factors such as aging; sex and cause of death. Methods: 202 fragments of right and left iliac arteries were obtained from autopsied patients. For the classification of the intensity of atherosclerosis, we considered the extension of lipid streaks, atheromatous plaques, fibrosis and calcification. In macroscopy, a point corresponding to the intensity of atherosclerosis was recorded using a 12.0cm scale. The classification was discrete, from 0.1cm to 4.0cm; resistant front, easy peel-and-stick back No minimum order Small, 3.8 cm (sheet of 20) In the microscopy, the fragments were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed under a light microscope, being the discrete involvement, when less than 25%; moderate, between 26% and 50%, and accentuated when above 50%. In order to measure the thickness of the intima and medium layers, Verhoeff staining and the Red Sudan lipid deposit were made. Both analyzes were done in Axion Vision® software. The percentage of collagen fibers was performed in the Leica Qwin Plus® software, with the blades stained by Picrossírius. For statistical analysis, graphPad Prism® software was used. Results: the macroscopic and microscopic intensity of atherosclerosis; thickening of the intima and middle layers; the percentage of lipid deposits and collagen fibers correlated positively and significantly with age, being significantly higher in males and in the cause of cardiovascular death. Conclusion: The different methods used provide new applications for a more sensitive assessment of the risk groups and early changes associated with preclinical atherosclerosis in the iliac arteries.