Physical factors in the progression of stenotic vascular lesions.

An explanation of the progression of stenotic lesions was sought in animal experiments. After surgical decrease of the lumen of arteries, progressive ingrowth of fibrous connective tissue led to the development of stenosis with changes in the artery that resembled those of coaretation. These changes are explained by the action of local blood pressures. Phenomena such as progressive stenosis, valvulogenesis, patterns of lipid infiltration, medial hypertrophy, thinning, and cystic change are discussed in terms of the concepts derived from these studies.