[Coronary occlusions associated with chronic arsenic poisoning. Apropos of 2 operated cases].

Examination was made of the clinical history, the results of laboratory tests, of coronary arteriography, and of a histological study of the coronary arterial walls in two young men who had a myocardial infarction. The two men lived in a district where the drinking water had a very high level of arsenic (0.8 parts per million). Neither of the patients presented the risk factors which are usually associated with coronary arteriosclerosis. Neither of the patients presented the risk factors which are usually associated with coronary arteriosclerosis. A histological study of the pathological left ventricular wall, which was removed at operation, showed very characteristic features of fibrous thickening of the intima, with preservation of the internal elastic lamina, of the medial and of the adventitia. Such an arterial abnormality may effect the larger coronary arteries just as well as the medium and small ones. Clinical presentation of this condition is often in young subjects.