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.
Department of Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
K
K
Tamura
Y
Y
Fukuda
V J
VJ
Ferrans
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