Atherosclerosis-like lesions of the aortic valve are common in adults of all ages: a necropsy study

Objective: To determine the presence and size of atherosclerosis-like lesions in aortic valves of unselected adults of all ages. Design: Necropsy study. Setting: Departments of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the University of Oulu and the Oulu University Hospital in Finland. Subjects: 48 consecutive unselected adult subjects (15 subjects aged 20–40 years, 17 aged 41–60, and 16 aged ⩾ 61) undergoing necropsy. Main outcome measures: Detection of the presence of atherosclerosis-like lesions and mineralisation in aortic valves, and morphometrical measurement of the size of lesions. Results: None of the necropsy subjects had aortic stenosis and only two subjects had macroscopic calcification of the aortic valve. Of 48 subjects, however, 45 had an atherosclerosis-like subendothelial thickening above the elastic lamina on the aortic side of at least one of the valve leaflets. Of 15 young subjects aged 20–40 years, eight had a lesion in the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve and 12 had a lesion in at least one of the three aortic valve leaflets. Of 17 middle aged subjects, 16 had an early lesion in the right coronary cusp and all had a lesion in at least one of the valve leaflets. In the oldest age group, all 16 subjects had a lesion in every valve leaflet. The mean lesion area in the three valve leaflets varied from 0.1–0.2 mm(2) in young subjects, 0.5–0.8 mm(2) in middle aged, and 1.3–2.3 mm(2) in elderly subjects (p < 0.001). Microscopic calcification in the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve was observed in 12 of 17 middle aged and 14 of 16 elderly subjects but only in one young subject. Conclusions: Atherosclerosis-like lesions in the aortic valve are prevalent in adults of all age groups, including young subjects aged 20–40 years, suggesting that the disease process leading to aortic stenosis is common, often beginning in early adulthood

Twelve unidentified skeletons as remains of an epidemic or famine in Northern Finland

Abstract Skeletal remains of 12 individuals were found in a grave in a tar-burning pit. There were no coffins or other belongings to help with identification or reveal the cause of death. Methods: Forensic osteological and odontological methods were used to establish sex, age and height. Histological and chemical tests, including the determination of C-14 content, were applied to dating the skeletal remains. Results: Out of 12 skeletons, 8 were adults; 5 females, 2 males and 1 probable female. Four skeletons belonged to children (ages 1–12 years). The bones had been in the grave for more than 100 years as concluded from the deterioration of the distal parts, embrittling of the surface to 1 mm depth. C-14 results gave the radiocarbon years 95 +/- 65 Bp (before present, i.e., 1950). The calibrated years correspond to two time periods, 1670–1780 AD and 1798–1944 AD, as a possible period of death. Conclusions: Starvation and illnesses are the most plausible explanations for the deaths. Historical studies show that during the 17th and 19th centuries, there were famines in Finland accompanied by severe infections (severe famines in the years 1866–1868 and 1696–1697), forcing a lot of people to leave their homes