Comparison of processing and sectioning methodologies for arteries containing metallic stents.
The histological study of arteries with implanted metallic scaffolding devices, known as stents, remains a technical challenge. Given that the arterial response to stent implantation can sometimes lead to adverse outcomes, including the re-accumulation of tissue mass within the stent (or in-stent restenosis), overcoming these technical challenges is a priority for the advancement of research and development in this important clinical field. Essentially, the task is to section the stent-tissue interface with the least amount of disruption of tissue and cellular morphology. Although many methacrylate resin methodologies are successfully applied toward the study of endovascular stents by a variety of research laboratories, the exact formulations, as well as subsequent processing and sectioning methodology, remain largely coveted. In this paper, we describe in detail a methyl methacrylate resin-embedding methodology that can successfully be applied to tungsten carbide blade, as well as saw and grinding sectioning methods and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, we present a comparison of the two sectioning methodologies in terms of their effectiveness with regard to morphological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials.
Rippstein
Peter
P
ART, MLT, Core Pathology Laboratory, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Rm H2102, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4W7. prippstein@ottawaheart.ca
Black
Melanie K
MK
Boivin
Marie
M
Veinot
John P
JP
Ma
Xiaoli
X
Chen
Yong-Xiang
YX
Human
Paul
P
Zilla
Peter
P
O'Brien
Edward R
ER
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008867:Microtomy / Q000379:methods; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D015607:Stents; D016610:Tissue Embedding / Q000379:methods
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate