BACKGROUND: The collagen matrix is a small component of the myocardium, but it provides a supportive framework. An increase in collagen in the pressure-overloaded ventricle is known to cause myocardial stiffness. However, little is known about the collagen matrix in the volume-overloaded ventricle, particularly in relation to congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined a total of 53 hearts with tricuspid atresia and 58 normal hearts matched for age. Using a microscopic-morphometric method, we analyzed the percentage per field area occupied by interstitial fibrous tissue in four sites in the ventricular mass for each specimen. A comparison of sampling sites showed no significant variations between normal and malformed hearts. Results from a homogeneity of regression co-efficients analysis suggested that the two groups shared the same basic relation of proportion of fibrosis with age. The use of ANCOVA, however, revealed a clear separation between the extents of fibrous tissue in the two groups of hearts. CONCLUSIONS: The myocardium of hearts with tricuspid atresia is consistently more fibrotic than normal heart and is probably an inherent part of the malformation. This difference could explain, at least in part, the clinical observation that the left ventricle is frequently abnormal, even at an early age.
BACKGROUND: The collagen matrix is a small component of the myocardium, but it provides a supportive framework. An increase in collagen in the pressure-overloaded ventricle is known to cause myocardial stiffness. However, little is known about the collagen matrix in the volume-overloaded ventricle, particularly in relation to congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined a total of 53 hearts with tricuspid atresia and 58 normal hearts matched for age. Using a microscopic-morphometric method, we analyzed the percentage per field area occupied by interstitial fibrous tissue in four sites in the ventricular mass for each specimen. A comparison of sampling sites showed no significant variations between normal and malformed hearts. Results from a homogeneity of regression co-efficients analysis suggested that the two groups shared the same basic relation of proportion of fibrosis with age. The use of ANCOVA, however, revealed a clear separation between the extents of fibrous tissue in the two groups of hearts. CONCLUSIONS: The myocardium of hearts with tricuspid atresia is consistently more fibrotic than normal heart and is probably an inherent part of the malformation. This difference could explain, at least in part, the clinical observation that the left ventricle is frequently abnormal, even at an early age.
Authors: Michelle L Milne; Gautam K Singh; James G Miller; Kirk D Wallace; Mark R Holland Journal: Ultrasound Med Biol Date: 2015-11-14 Impact factor: 2.998
Authors: Derek L Tran; Hannah Gibson; Andrew J Maiorana; Charlotte E Verrall; David W Baker; Melanie Clode; David R Lubans; Diana Zannino; Andrew Bullock; Suzie Ferrie; Julie Briody; Peter Simm; Vishva Wijesekera; Michelle D'Almeida; Sally E Gosbell; Glen M Davis; Robert Weintraub; Anthony C Keech; Rajesh Puranik; Martin Ugander; Robert Justo; Dominica Zentner; Avik Majumdar; Leeanne Grigg; Jeff S Coombes; Yves d'Udekem; Norman R Morris; Julian Ayer; David S Celermajer; Rachael Cordina Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2022-01-06 Impact factor: 3.418