Key result
Aging is linked to increased sinoatrial nodal cell diameter and significant loss of cell count.
Why the study?
Histological observation of specialized conducting cells in the sinoatrial node of autopsied hearts is very difficult and previous electron microscopic studies were not adapted for autopsied heart examination.
Population
Human sinoatrial node cells from autopsied hearts aged 20-86 years
Comparison
Comparison of sinoatrial node cells across four age groups
Design
Histological study using 1 µm epon-embedded sections for electron microscopy
Authors
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May underlie age-related sinus node dysfunction; hypothesis-generating and requires in vivo validation.
Observational (n=60)
No
p-value: p=<0.05
Inoue et al. (1986) conducted an observational in Aging (n=60). Advancing age vs. Younger age (20-39 years) was evaluated on Mean diameter and number of SA nodal cells (p=<0.05). In an autopsy study of 60 patients, sinoatrial nodal cells significantly increased in mean diameter and decreased in number with advancing age.
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