Key Points
- To semiquantitatively assess microscopic scarring and distinct subtypes of interstitial fibrosis across various myocardial disorders.
- Examined 40 human hearts across four equal cohorts (N=10 congestive cardiomyopathy, N=10 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, N=10 severe valvular aortic stenosis, and N=10 normal controls).
- Semiquantitatively assessed histological subtypes including microscopic scarring, interfibre fibrosis, perivascular fibrosis, and plexiform fibrosis.
- Perivascular and interfibre fibrosis were closely linked quantitatively and were most prominent in congestive cardiomyopathy and valvular aortic stenosis.
- Plexiform fibrosis occurred at the highest levels in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, strongly correlating with myocardial muscle fibre disarray.
- Different interstitial fibrosis subtypes showed clear associations with specific disease entities, although the patterns were not completely disease-specific.
Structured PICO
PPopulationHearts with congestive cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe valvular aortic stenosis, and normal hearts
IInterventionHistopathological assessment of fibrosis types (microscopic scarring, interfibre, perivascular, and plexiform fibrosis)
CComparatorComparison between different myocardial diseases and normal hearts
OOutcomePrevalence and types of interstitial fibrosissurrogate
Different types of interstitial fibrosis have particular, though non-specific, associations with certain myocardial diseases, which may assist in histopathologic diagnosis.