Association of Atheromatous Plaques in Aorta with waist-hip Ratio and Cardiacweight in Unnatural Deaths: A mortuary based study from West Bengal, India

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a pathological change that occurs in the arterial wall, wherein abnormal accumulation and deposition of atheromatous  material occurs in their inner layer causing complete and partial blockage of the arteries. Ischemic heart disease is an important cause of  morbidity and mortality in vulnerable people the world over. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is an important cause of sudden and  unexpected death even in young individuals. It remains as one of the major cause of embolism. The abdominal obesity has also a major role  in formation of atheromatous plaques leading to sudden cardiac death. The waist–hip ratio is a better predictor of risk of cardiovascular  diseases as compared to BMI, as shown in various studies. The prevalence of coronary artery disease is also strongly associated with  calcium intake quite common in many populations. Abdominal circumference above 102 cm in the case of men and above 88 cm in the  case of women signifies central obesity and involves increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Awaist/hip ratio above 0.9 in the case of men  and above 0.85 in the case of women indicates central obesity and is strong predictor of observable pathological changes in the coronary  vessels. The current investigation was designed to find association of atheromatous plaques in aorta with waist hip ratio and cardiac  weight in unnatural deaths done on 310 bodies came for Medico-legal autopsy in Burdwan Police morgue of Burdwan Medical College of  West Bengal.