Elastic fiber abnormalities associated with a leaflet perforation in floppy mitral valve.
The alterations observed in the elastic fibers of the perforated floppy mitral valve of a 68-year-old man are described. The patient had not history of infective endocarditis and no stigmata of Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ultrastructurally, the elastic fibers in the area of the perforation showed unique, round-shaped expansion of the amorphous components, which lacked associated microfibrils. These features resembled those of the elastic fibers in animals treated with beta-aminopropionitrile, an inhibitor of lysyl oxidase. Aggregations of microfibrils without amorphous components were also observed. These abnormalities are considered to be related to the pathogenesis of the perforation in this valve.
Tamura
K
K
Department of Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Fukuda
Y
Y
Ferrans
V J
VJ
D000368:Aged; D002815:Chordae Tendineae / Q000293:injuries / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous