Occlusive Fibroelastosis of Coronary Arteries in the Newborn

Abstract

A developmental anomaly in the form of occlusive fibroelastosis of the proximal segments of both coronary arteries, leading to progressive myocardial infarction and death, was found in the course of an autopsy on a 6-week-old infant. Congenital malformations of the coronary arteries are not uncommon, but a report of one such as this has not been found in the literature.

Development and regression of non-capillary vessels in the bovine corpus luteum

“…For larger arterial vessels, we have reported here that the thickening of the intima and the media is caused by the formation of collagenous and elastic fibres. This fibroelastic alteration in arteries of a regressing corpus luteum is judged as a physiological fibroelastosis corresponding to the pathological fibroelastosis during chronic hypertension (MacMahon and Dickinson 1967). Therefore, the thick-walled arteries observed here do not reflect the proliferative event of arteriolization as suggested by Modlich et al (1996).…”

The significance of ventriculo-coronary arterial connections in the setting of pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum

“…A decade later, in 1974, one of us (RMF) suggested, along with Harrington, 7 that the abnormal vascular connections could contribute to myocardial ischaemia by compromising normal diastolic flow to the coronary arteries. The interest engendered in these ventriculo-coronary arterial connections has continued to the present time, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] as manifested by the many publications displaying the panorama of the angiocardiographic features, and many more discussing their influence on the outcomes of surgical intervention. Thus, with this increasing appreciation of the abnormal coronary circulation, and its influence on myocardial perfusion, algorithms were defined to neutralize as far as possible this morphological variable in patients undergoing surgery.…”

“…The connections between the cavity of the right ventricle and coronary arterial bed have also been described in several ways. 10,11,16,34,35 Although often designated as "sinusoids", this is incorrect. We will use the terminology advocated by Gittenberger-de Groot et al, 36 who have written extensively on the topic.…”

Coronary arterial lesions and myocardial necrosis in stillbirths and infants.

“…They represent a serious hazard and may even help to explain how certain unusual lesions of the coronary arterial tree develop. Cases of medial calcification of the coronary vessels (Witzleben, 1970), occlusive fibroelastosis (MacMahon and Dickenson, 1967), coronary sclerosis (Jokl and Greenstein, 1944), congenital aneurysms (Gore et al, 1959), and primary dissecting aneurysms of the coronary vessels in young adults (Whitehead and Dunnill, 1969), could all have their origin in the lesions described in this report. In most of these reported cases, it is difficult to trace any direct connection with anomalies of the antenatal and postnatal period, since details on these points are often scarce, not available, or not even considered.…”