Intimal hypertrophy in coronary arteries and considerations of the papillary muscle arteries (man)

Abstract

Intimal hypertrophy is located irregularly along the coronary arteries. These irregular formations appear related to areas where accentuated intramural physical forces develop. Intimal hypertrophy develops diffusely around ostia of secondary branches apparently due to its anisotropic expansion with each pulse pressure wave. Discrete intimal hypertrophy occurs near the ostium of branch arteries which are guarded by a circumferential muscle. Diffuse intimal hypertrophy occurs in arteries supplying the posterior papillary muscles, and conversely, a barely detectable intima is seen in the arteries to the anterior papillary muscles or in the branch arteries to the ventricular wall. Intimal hypertrophy may be related to areas where naturally occurring shear or radial forces are accentuated. Regional intimal hypertrophy is present by 12 years of age in man and increases in amount and in its diffuseness with age.