A Graphical Method for Evaluation of Narrowing of the Coronary Arteries (Coronary Profile Method)-With Special Reference to Intramural Arteriolosclerosis

(1) A new graphic method for morphological evaluation of narrowing of the coronary arteries was presented and was designated as coronary profile method. Microscopically measured external diameters of the arteries were plotted along the horizontal axis in logarithmic scale against wall/diameter ratios plotted along the vertical axis in arithmetic scale. Arteries in various sizes totaling 75 to 100 were plotted from the larger ones to the smaller ones in each case. The intima/wall ratios were also plotted by the same procedure.(2) The profile can show a longitudinal and lateral view of the coronary arterial system and is especially useful in the examination of the changes of small arteries in the myocardium.(3) The coronary profile of 10 cases with hypertension showed a peak of the medial reaction in the arteries of about 100μ in diameter. The medial reaction showed a close relationship with the grade of hypertension existed.(4) The coronary profile of 6 cases with severe coronary atherosclerosis showed a different pattern. Three cases showed luminal narrowing only in the larger arteries and 3 others showed narrowing both in the larger arteries and the smaller arteries of about 100μ in diameter.(5) Some other patterns of the coronary profile in various diseases were presented.