Heterogeneity of atherosclerosis in mesenteric arteries and outgrowth remodeling

Abstract Background In patients with acute mesenteric ischemia by occlusive thrombo-embolism, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is more affected than the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). Methods This study investigated postmortem mesenteric arteries from aged subjects (n=21). Four atherosclerotic stages were defined by signs of degeneration and inflammation in sections stained with Elastica-van-Gieson and immunohistology, respectively. Results In females and males, Stages 3 and 4 were found in 62% of the SMA and 24% of the IMA. Lumenal areas based on diameter measurements remained essentially unchanged between Stages 1 and 4. Compared to a Stage 1 reference, remodeling was associated wi…