Role of thrombosis in the onset, progression and obstructive character of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

A study was carried out on the role of successive microthrombi incorporation and intramural thrombi formation in the onset, progression and obstructive character of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The coronary arterial tree of 836 apparently healthy subjects 1 to 50 years old who died of accidental causes was investigated. The onset of coronary atherosclerotic plaques having as precursors thrombi could be detected in 10% of advanced lesions. The left anterior descending artery appeared as the vessel of the coronary arterial tree the most susceptible to plaque development induced by thrombi and to the occurrence of thrombi on preexisting plaques. This occurrence of thrombi on preexisting plaques was recorded in 48% of subjects aged 46 to 50 years and was followed by a severe luminal narrowing in the major coronary arteries.