Atherosclerosis in relation to tuberculosis and chronic lung disease.

The relation between atherosclerosis and tuberculosis and other chronic lung diseases was studied in extensive autopsy material. Aortic atherosclerosis in subjects with such conditions was generally similar in extent to that in the standardized atherosclerosis group and more extensive than that in the low atherosclerosis group, while coronary atherosclerosis was less extensive than in the standardized average group and, especially in women, approximated to that in the low atherosclerosis group. The prevalence of coronary stenosis and myocardial lesions was very low in subjects with tuberculosis and other chronic lung diseases. The presence of such diseases seemed to increase the development of atherosclerosis in the thoracic part of the aorta in relation to the abdominal part.