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AGE RELATED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN CARDIAC CONDUCTING SYSTEM IN TURKISH POPULATION: EVALUATION OF 202 AUTOPSY CASES
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Abstract
Background: Histopathological features of cardiac conducting system (CCS) in Turkish population have not been investigated previously.
Methods: We examined CCS of 202 autopsy heart specimens dissected between the years 2004-2005 in Bursa Forensic Medicine Institution. Of the 202 cases from all age groups, 154 were males and 48 were females.
Results: In our cases increase in fibrous and adipose tissue concordant with age, indicating an age related nature, were detected. Fibrous and fatty tissue infiltration appeared at the age of 35. Fatty infiltration started at the age between 20 and 34 at sinoatrial node. In 4 cases calcification and in 19 cases inflammation was observed. Amyloid accumulation was not present. In 7 cases myocardial infarction not involving CCS was seen. In 1 case fibroelastoma was detected.
Conclusions: In Turkish population age related fibrosis and fatty infiltration in CCS appeared at the age of 35 and increased with age. Fatty infiltration in sinoatrial node started at a younger age than that of reported in the literature. In cases whom the cause of death could not be determined we could not detect lethal pathologic features. However we think that examination of the CCS will improve the quality of autopsy diagnosis.
Abstract
Background: Histopathological features of cardiac conducting system (CCS) in Turkish population have not been investigated previously.
Methods: We examined CCS of 202 autopsy heart specimens dissected between the years 2004-2005 in Bursa Forensic Medicine Institution. Of the 202 cases from all age groups, 154 were males and 48 were females.
Results: In our cases increase in fibrous and adipose tissue concordant with age, indicating an age related nature, were detected. Fibrous and fatty tissue infiltration appeared at the age of 35. Fatty infiltration started at the age between 20 and 34 at sinoatrial node. In 4 cases calcification and in 19 cases inflammation was observed. Amyloid accumulation was not present. In 7 cases myocardial infarction not involving CCS was seen. In 1 case fibroelastoma was detected.
Conclusions: In Turkish population age related fibrosis and fatty infiltration in CCS appeared at the age of 35 and increased with age. Fatty infiltration in sinoatrial node started at a younger age than that of reported in the literature. In cases whom the cause of death could not be determined we could not detect lethal pathologic features. However we think that examination of the CCS will improve the quality of autopsy diagnosis.
Keywords
heart; pathology; conduction system; forensic medicine
About this articleTitle
AGE RELATED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN CARDIAC CONDUCTING SYSTEM IN TURKISH POPULATION: EVALUATION OF 202 AUTOPSY CASES
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
178-182
Published online
2012-08-31
Page views
610
Article views/downloads
1255
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2012;71(3):178-182.
Keywords
heart
pathology
conduction system
forensic medicine
Authors
C. Comunoglu
N. Comunoglu
B. Eren
O. Tanrıover
N. Turkmen
U.N. Gundogmus
F. Eren
