Hypothesis: vasa vasorum and neovascularization of human coronary arteries: a possible role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis

AC Barger, R Beeuwkes III, LL Lainey… - New England Journal …, 1984 - Mass Medical Soc
AC Barger, R Beeuwkes III, LL Lainey, KJ Silverman
New England Journal of Medicine, 1984Mass Medical Soc
ALTHOUGH the vasa vasorum, the nutrient vessels in the wall of the human aorta, have
been studied in some detail, 1 there has been disagreement concerning the presence or
extent of vasa vasorum in the coronary arteries. As early as 1876 Köster2 suggested that the
intimal proliferation and medial hypertrophy of" arteriitis" was related to the presence of vasa
vasorum in the media and intima. In 1938 Winternitz et al. 3 injected India ink into the wall of
cleared coronary arteries and demonstrated the" presence of rich vascular channels …
ALTHOUGH the vasa vasorum, the nutrient vessels in the wall of the human aorta, have been studied in some detail,1 there has been disagreement concerning the presence or extent of vasa vasorum in the coronary arteries. As early as 1876 Köster2 suggested that the intimal proliferation and medial hypertrophy of "arteriitis" was related to the presence of vasa vasorum in the media and intima. In 1938 Winternitz et al.3 injected India ink into the wall of cleared coronary arteries and demonstrated the "presence of rich vascular channels surrounding and penetrating sclerotic lesions." They suggested that "here, undoubtedly, was the source . . .
The New England Journal Of Medicine