RETRACTED ARTICLE: A histopathological analysis of the epidemiology of coronary atherosclerosis: an autopsy study

Abstract

BackgroundAtherosclerosis accounts for a large proportion of cardiovascular system associated morbidity and mortality. We studied the possible association between the histopathological changes of the coronary atherosclerotic lesions and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) using autopsy cases.MethodsWe performed an autopsy analysis (n = 13, 4 women, 9 men mean age 67.5 years; age range 56–93 years) of SCD which occurred in patients aged over 50 years during March 2010 to December 2013. The following variables were considered: sex, age, medical history, autopsy findings to macroscopic and histological evaluation of the heart. The autopsies were performed according to standard techniques. In all subjects, the heart was dissected following standard autopsy protocol and a 5 cm section of the right coronary artery (RCA) in the atrio-ventricular groove from its origin, a 5 cm segment of the left anterior descending artery (LADA) distal to the origin of the circumflex artery, but including the region of origin of the circumflex branch and left coronary artery (LCA) from its origin till the circumflex branch were excised, dissected out, fixed in 10 % formalin, marked for identification and sent for histopathological analysis.ResultsAtherosclerotic plaques were identified in 6.5 % of specimens, 69.34 % of males and 30.66 % of female. Such plaques were typically concentric and more represented with necrosis, calcification, cholesterol crystals, and giant cells, as well as had a higher inflammatory cell count. Furthermore, intima and media thickness of coronary arteries were significantly higher in studied specimens with visualize the connective tissue layers of the adventitia and the fatty acid containing adipose cells in the periadventitial tissue. Furthermore, the degree of microscopic lesion of atherosclerosis increased proportionally with the increase in the intensity of lipid deposition and with the percentage of collagen in the atherosclerotic plaques.ConclusionIn this study, age estimate to be a risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis in individuals more than 50 years old and may be used to predict SCD. Altogether, an enhanced understanding of the pathobiologic processes responsible for atherosclerotic changes might allow for early identification of a high-risk coronary plaque and thereby provide a rationale for innovative diagnostic and/or therapeutic strategies for the management of coronary patients and prevention of acute coronary syndromes.

microRNA-363-3p reduces endothelial cell inflammatory responses in coronary heart disease via inactivation of the NOX4-dependent p38 MAPK axis

“…Endothelial cells are vital for the maintenance of the functional integrity of the vascular wall and nonthrombogenic blood-tissue reactions and serve as modulators of immune responses [ 3 ]. Furthermore, endothelial dysfunction is a primary contributing factor to several cardiovascular diseases [ 4 , 5 ]. Indeed, there is a clear correlation between the atherosclerotic burden and various other risk factors due to the extent of endothelial dysfunction [ 3 ].…”

Retraction note: A histopathological analysis of the epidemiology of coronary atherosclerosis: an autopsy study

“…The Editor-in-Chief and Publisher have retracted this article [1] because the scientific integrity of the content cannot be guaranteed. An investigation by the Publisher found it to be one of a group of articles we have identified as showing evidence suggestive of attempts to subvert the peer review and publication system to inappropriately obtain or allocate authorship.…”

Avaliação Macroscópica da Aterosclerose nas Artérias: Uma Ferramenta de Avaliação na Autópsia

“…Sabe-se que o exame de autópsia é de extrema importância, pois permite a compreensão dos processos básicos das doenças. 4 Estudos têm demonstrado que além da eliminação dos fatores de risco associados à aterosclerose existem medicamentos atualmente eficazes para o tratamento dessa doença. 5 No entanto, para a eficácia do tratamento é necessário conhecer o grau de comprometimento arterial provocado pelas placas ateroscleróticas.…”