The Visceral Vascular Involvements Accompanied by Arteriosclerosis Obliterans

Abstract

Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) involves mainly the vessels of the extremities, but it has been well known that arteriosclerotic lesions may suffer all kinds of visceral arteries in those patients with ASO. Blood pressure, E. C. G., renal function, serum cholesterol level, findings of ocular fundi, chest and abdominal X-ray were studied in about 270 patients with ASO, who admitted to the 1st Dept. of Surg., Univ. of Tokyo and Yoikuin Hospital, Tokyo Municipal Home for past 10 years.
Reffered to these clinical data, operative and autopsy findings, the visceral vascular involvements were discussed and the followings were obtained.
1) In all 268 cases, hypertension was found by 70% and hypercholesteremia by 40%. It was seemed that there is positive relationship between these findings and ASO.
2) Cerebral, coronary and renal circulatory insuf ficiency was observed in 129 (48%). Among visceral vascular involvements, cerebrovascular insufficiency, myocardial infarction, aneurysm, renal insufficiency, and angina pectoris were predominant.
3) In 65% of dead 58 cases, the causes of death were attributed to cerebral, coronaty and renel insufficiency. Especially, the incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebral vascular insufficiency was high and accounted for by 21% and 19% respectively.
4) Autopsy was performed in 13 cases. Moderate and severe arteriosclerotic changes were also confirmed in aorta, cerebral, coronary and main branches of abdominal aorta. Somethimes diffuse arteriosclerosis were recognized in all visceral arteries, partly occluded with organized thrombi.