Localization of early atherosclerotic lesions in the right carotid bifurcation in humans.

The detailed localization of early atherosclerotic lesions in the right carotid bifurcation was studied in 37 carotid arteries obtained from autopsies of young persons who had suffered a violent and sudden death. Drawings of the sudanophilic lesions in the vessel wall were fed to a computer, scaled to a standardized size and shape, and added together. The results are presented as contour lines connecting points with equal frequency of early lesions. The distribution of early lesions reveals a distinct pattern: The early lesions start to develop on the outer walls of the bifurcation, while the inner walls downstream from the flow divider are left free, as are also the lateral walls. In the carotid sinus the distribution of the lesions has a U-formed pattern.