[Trends in 25-year evolution of coronary atherosclerosis in males fom some cities of Europe and Asia]

Abstract

Aim: Detection of changes in the course of coronary atherosclerosis (CA) which took place for 25 years of observation in male population in different cities.

Material and methods: Epidemiological surveys of coronary AS by autopsy data according to WHO program were conducted in 1963-1966 (trial 1) and 1985-1989 (trial 2) in 9 cities: Ashkhabad (Turkmenistan), Bishkek (Kirghizia), Irkutsk, Yakutsk (Russia), Riga (Latvia), Tallinn, Tartu (Estonia), Kharkov, Yalta (Ukraine), Malme (Sweden), Prague (Czechia). The surveys enrolled males aged 20-59 years: 7470 males entered trial 1 and 9600 entered trial 2. AS was assessed visually-plan-imetrically in the three major coronary arteries (CA). By the data from Ashkhabad, Bishkek, Irkutsk, Kharkov, Yakutsk, AS in healthy males was also characterized.

Results: In 9 CIS countries' cities CS for 25 years has undergone noticeable changes: according to trial 2 atherosclerotic process accelerated, especially in males over 40, in healthy males as well. CA AS had the same features in both trials in Prague and was less pronounced in males from Malme. National differences between native population and immigrants in AS were evident in Ashkhabad, Bishkek and Yakutsk in both trials. In trial 2 CA stenoses were encountered more frequently in all the cities under study. Coronary arteries were more calcified. There was a direct relationship between severity of preatherosclerotic CA changes in young males (20-39-year-old) and speed of AS progression in older males.

Conclusion: For 25 years there was a tendency to more severe course of coronary AS in CIS countries, in Prague males AS has undergone minimal changes, in Malme the situation with AS severity has improved. Severity of AS in males from different cities and CHD male mortality were correlated.