Histochemistry of Coronary Arteries in Myocardial Infarction

In this study we used the samples of autopsy material from 15 patients who died of myocardial infarction. As control we used autopsy material from 5 victims of car accidents. Quantitative comparison of area of coronary arteries of healthy persons and patients with myocardial infarction revealed its decrease in patients with myocardial infarction. In ischemic heart disease patients there were many "xanthoma cells" forming the basis net filled with glycoproteins. Thickening of intima in patients with ischemic heart disease was due to increased quantity of glycosoaminoglycans and glycoproteins. In coronary arteries of all patients with myocardial infarction we found inflammatory infiltrates, consisting of lymphocytes and xanthomatous cells.