Macroscopic Evaluation of Atherosclerosis in the Arteries: An Autopsy Assessment Tool.

Background: Atherosclerosis, in some cases, is an asymptomatic condition, and it is important to know the degree of arterial impairment caused by plaques and its association with risk factors. Autopsy examination provides understanding of basic disease processes and assessment to data about macroscopic characteristic of atherosclerotic involvement.

Objective: To macroscopically assess and standardize atherosclerotic involvement of aorta, carotid and iliac arteries and compare with age, gender and causes of death.

Morphological and Histopathological Study of Autopsied Patients with Atherosclerosis and HIV.

Background: Chronic infection by HIV evolves with a vascular inflammatory action causing endothelial dysfunction. The action of the virus, as well as the side effects of antiretroviral drugs, contribute to the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the percentage of collagen fibers and the density of mast cells, chymase and tryptase, in aortas of patients with and without HIV, and also patients with and without atherosclerosis.

Morphological and histopathological evaluation of autopsied patients with hypertensive cardiopathy.

Background: Physiopathological processes in hypertensive heart disease are controlled by complex interactions between cardiomyocytes, extracellular matrix, microvasculature and other cells present in the myocardium.

Objective: To analyze morphological changes in hypertensive cardiopathy and to describe and compare findings in order to help clarify determinant factors.

Methods: 42 fragments of the left ventricular myocardium and circumflex branch of the left coronary artery were obtained from individuals autopsied at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) in the period ranging from 1984 to 2018.