Histomorphometric analysis of the human internal thoracic artery and relationship with cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

In this study, we aimed at performing a histomorphometric analysis of human left internal thoracic artery (ITA) samples as well as at correlating the histomorphometric findings with the clinical profile, including risk factors and medication. Distal segments of ITA were obtained from 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Histological observation was performed in paraffin-embedded transverse sections of ITA through four staining protocols: hematoxylin-eosin, van Gieson, Masson’s trichrome and von Kossa. Morphometric analysis included the intimal width (IW), medial width (MW) and intima/media ratio (IMR). No overt atherosclerotic lesions were observed. Mild calcifications were observed across the vascular wall layers in almost all samples. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed associations between IW and IMR and the following clinical variables: age, gender, kidney function expressed as eGFR and myocardial infarction history. Age (odds ratio = 1.16, P = 0.004), female gender (odds ratio = 11.34, P = 0.011), eGFR (odds ratio = 1.03, P = 0.059) and myocardial infarction history (odds ratio = 4.81, P = 0.040) were identified as the main clinical predictors for intimal hyperplasia. Preatherosclerotic lesions in ITA samples from patients undergoing coronary revascularization were associated not only with classical cardiovascular risk factors such as age and gender, but also with other clinical variables, namely kidney function and myocardial infarction history.

The incidence rate and histological characteristics of intimal hyperplasia in elastase‐induced experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice

“…In both human and large animal models, IH may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis, especially in coronary artery 6 . Increasing evidence indicates that IH caused by various injuries is not only an important vascular remodeling event after endovascular repair, but may also be involved in the regulation of atherosclerotic diseases 29–32 . However, there are few laboratory and clinical studies that clarify whether IH is involved in the occurrence and development of aneurysms.…”

Morphological and morphometrical aspects of intima and media of the common, external and internal iliac arteries in Chinchilla lanigera (Rodentia, Chinchillidae) bred in captivity

“…Generally, the literature referring to structure of the arteries tackles large arteries, like the aorta, carotid arteries, cerebral arteries, or the brachiocephalic trunk or visceral branches of the aorta in several animal species (Filho et al 2012;Ogeng'o et al 2010bOgeng'o et al , 2010aMartins et al 2010;Mello et al 2009;Orsi et al 2004;Mello et al 2004;Shariati et al 2015;Rahmanifar et al 2014;Wilkinson 1972;Lametschwandtner et al 2011), neglecting the fine structural differences among components which have an important role in blood-flow regulatory processes. Study of the fine structure of these segments is important also for coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) procedures or other vascular grafts (Parchami et al 2009;Borović et al 2010) or as predictor for cardiovascular outcomes (Fonseca et al 2019).…”

“…The second tunic-the media -consists of muscular cells arranged in a circular direction with a certain amount of elastic and collagene fibers interposed (Shadwick 1999). Due to its peculiar arrangement, the media plays an important role in blood flow regulation (Shiraishi et al 1986;Holzapfel et al 2000;Fonseca et al 2019). The media plays the most important haemodynamic role (windkessel function), related to the influence of the systolic pressure and turbulent blood flow during ventricular systole (Holzapfel et al 2000;Mello et al 2004;Giavini 1980).…”

“…The media plays the most important haemodynamic role (windkessel function), related to the influence of the systolic pressure and turbulent blood flow during ventricular systole (Holzapfel et al 2000;Mello et al 2004;Giavini 1980). In pathological situations, literature mentions a possible correlation between the thickness of the intima and media (IMT) and the myocardic infarction or cerebrovascular strokes (VCS) (O'Leary et al 1999;Parchami et al 2009;Fonseca et al 2019) The middle tunic is separated from the internal tunic by an internal limiting membrane, while on the external part, there is a slightly visible (sometimes indistinguishable) external limiting membrane in case of elastic type arteries.…”

“…In humans, literature sources mention, at the level of the common iliac arteries, the incidence of spontaneous ruptures for FDM (fibromuscular dysplasia) patients (Honjo et al 2004). Other pathological changes of the intimal components may be associated with atherosclerosis (one of the most common diseases of arterial walls) or with other conditions such as ilio-aortic thrombosis (Walmsley et al 1983;Janzen 2004;Oyamada et al 2007;Fonseca et al 2019).…”