The value of the autopsy for understanding cardiovascular disease. Past, present, and future

Abstract

Major contributions to medicine have been made by the use of the autopsy. Among these are the clarification of obscure features of the causes and pathogenesis of heart disease; the collection of abundant quantitative information from the examination of the heart and major arteries; the verification of cardiovascular diagnoses and the monitoring of new high-technology diagnostic imaging; the ensurance that the newer modes of therapy are safe and effective; the teaching and training of the physicians and surgeons of tomorrow; and the alerting of families to genetic risk, as the understanding of the genetic aspects of cardiovascular disease increases. In addition, a proposed international study will contribute to our understanding of the risk factors that influence the progression of atherosclerosis in young people.