The serum lipids in human atherosclerosis; an interim report.

An attempt is being made to determine the relation of the serum lipids to the progression of human atherosclerosis. The serum lipids are estimated serially during life and are compared with the degree of atherosclerosis found post mortem. The findings in the first 50 fatalities in the series of 800 patients are reported. The results make a poor case for the effect of derangements of the serum lipids on the disease process. Elevation of the cholesterol-phospholipid ratio has the most suggestive atherogenic effect, but this is not consistent. The total serum cholesterol and the Sf 12-20 and 20-100 lipoproteins show no significant relationships.