Correlation of the Roentgen Appearance of the Thoracic Aorta in Life with the Degree of Stenosing Arteriosclerosis of the Coronary Arteries at Necropsy

Abstract

The criteria for the diagnosis of coronary artery heart disease outlined by the New York Heart Association imply a positive correlation between arteriosclerosis of the aorta and stenosing arteriosclerosis of the coronary arteries. The validity of this assumption was tested by comparing the roentgenographic appearance of the aorta before death with the degree of coronary arteriosclerosis noted at necropsy. The results indicated that arteriosclerosis of the aorta diagnosed roentgenographically is not a criterion for the diagnosis of coronary arteriosclerosis.