Premium
Patent foramen ovale: Standards for a preclinical model of prevalence, structure, and histopathologic comparability to human hearts
Author(s) -
Hara Hidehiko,
Virmani Renu,
Ladich Elena,
MackeyBojack Shan,
Titus Jack L.,
Karnicki Krzysztov,
Stewart MaryLou,
Pelzel Jamie M.,
Schwartz Robert S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
catheterization and cardiovascular interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1522-726X
pISSN - 1522-1946
DOI - 10.1002/ccd.20973
Subject(s) - medicine , patent foramen ovale , connective tissue , pathology , cardiology , suidae , anatomy , migraine
Background : This study evaluated and standardized a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) preclinical model in gross anatomic and histopathologic features. Methods: We examined 150 necropsy‐derived domestic porcine hearts, age 4–6 months for PFO prevalence, appearance, and size. Histopathologic preparations were standardized and processed identically to 24 post‐mortem human hearts aged 16–62 years. A measurement scheme was developed for PFO atrial openings, tunnel length, and histopathologic features to compare porcine and patient hearts. Results : PFO was found in 32 of the 150 porcine hearts (prevalence 21.3%). Twenty‐five porcine PFO underwent standard characterization by tunnel length, and right, and left atrial orifice diameters. Logarithmic regression analysis between porcine PFO tunnel length and left atrial orifice area demonstrated a significant positive relationship ( P = 0.0162, R 2 = 0.227). The porcine PFO tunnel length was significantly longer than in humans (12.0 ± 4.0 mm vs. 7.1 ± 3.1 mm respectively, P < 0.0001). Histopathologic comparison was made using serial sections perpendicular to the atrial septum and the tunnel long axis. Human and porcine PFO lesions demonstrated strong similarities in tissue cells, connective tissue, and matrix composition. Conclusions : PFO assessment was standardized in both macroscopically and histopathologically, with quantitative and qualitative comparisons feasible using a porcine preclinical model. PFO prevalence in domestic swine is identical to humans, and microscopic structures very similar to humans. The domestic swine PFO model appears useful to evaluate new interventional closure technologies due to comparability in microscopic features. Tunnel length should be carefully evaluated due to differences across pigs and patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.