Major types of unstable atherosclerotic plaques and their distribution in coronary arteries in acute myocardial infarction

: A pathomorphological investigation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques and their distribution in coronary arteries were studied on successive (5 mm) transverse sections of autopsy material from 60 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Two morphological types of such plaques were distinguished: lipid one (70%) and dystrophic-necrotic (30%). Unstable plaques in AMI are spread. Numerous unstable plaques were more frequently observed in AMI with preceding unstable angina pectoris but single plaques were found in cases with absence of coronary anamnesis. There were no significant age, sex and risk factor differences between cases with multiple and single atherosclerotic plaques.