Vol 70, No 3 (2011)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-08-24
Histomorphometric and sympathetic innervation of the human posterior intercostal artery and its clinical importance
S. Reddy, P. Kumar, K. Prasad
Folia Morphol 2011;70(3):161-167.
Vol 70, No 3 (2011)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-08-24
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study the characteristics of arterial wall
and sympathetic innervation of the human posterior intercostal artery (PIA) in order
to assess its suitability as an arterial graft for vascular surgeries. Fifty PIA samples
were obtained from 25 cadavers (18 males and 7 females). Samples were
divided into three age groups: group 1: 19–40 years; group 2: 41–60 years; and
group 3 over 61 years. Sections (5 μm-thickness) of each sample were taken and
stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Verhoeff’s-Van Gieson. Five samples were processed
for tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining. The differences in the thickness
of tunica intima were not statistically significant when group 1 was compared with
group 2 (p = 0.798), but significant differences were observed in the thickness of
the tunica intima when comparing group 2 with group 3 (p = 0.012) and group 3
with group 1 (p = 0.002). The tunica media was not statistically significant when
group 1 was compared with group 2 (p = 0.479). However, significant differences
were observed in the thickness of the tunica media when comparing group 2 with
group 3 (p = 0.001) and group 3 with group 1 (p = 0.011). The mean (SD)
number of elastic laminae in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 7.88 ± 0.69,
6.62 ± 0.51, and 4.56 ± 0.82, respectively. Tunica intima/media ratios in groups
1, 2, and 3 were found to be 0.09 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.02, and 0.27 ± 0.16, respectively.
Tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining revealed that sympathetic fibres are
found mainly in the tunica adventitia and at the adventitia-medial border. The
sympathetic nerve fibre area and sympathetic index were found to be 0.004 mm2,
and 0.151 mm2, respectively. PIA has relatively thin intima and media, which are
favourable features regarding its potential suitability as an alternate coronary bypass
conduit. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 3: 161–167)
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study the characteristics of arterial wall
and sympathetic innervation of the human posterior intercostal artery (PIA) in order
to assess its suitability as an arterial graft for vascular surgeries. Fifty PIA samples
were obtained from 25 cadavers (18 males and 7 females). Samples were
divided into three age groups: group 1: 19–40 years; group 2: 41–60 years; and
group 3 over 61 years. Sections (5 μm-thickness) of each sample were taken and
stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Verhoeff’s-Van Gieson. Five samples were processed
for tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining. The differences in the thickness
of tunica intima were not statistically significant when group 1 was compared with
group 2 (p = 0.798), but significant differences were observed in the thickness of
the tunica intima when comparing group 2 with group 3 (p = 0.012) and group 3
with group 1 (p = 0.002). The tunica media was not statistically significant when
group 1 was compared with group 2 (p = 0.479). However, significant differences
were observed in the thickness of the tunica media when comparing group 2 with
group 3 (p = 0.001) and group 3 with group 1 (p = 0.011). The mean (SD)
number of elastic laminae in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 7.88 ± 0.69,
6.62 ± 0.51, and 4.56 ± 0.82, respectively. Tunica intima/media ratios in groups
1, 2, and 3 were found to be 0.09 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.02, and 0.27 ± 0.16, respectively.
Tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining revealed that sympathetic fibres are
found mainly in the tunica adventitia and at the adventitia-medial border. The
sympathetic nerve fibre area and sympathetic index were found to be 0.004 mm2,
and 0.151 mm2, respectively. PIA has relatively thin intima and media, which are
favourable features regarding its potential suitability as an alternate coronary bypass
conduit. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 3: 161–167)
Keywords
sympathetic nerve fibres; ageing; elastic fibres; coronary by-pass graft
Title
Histomorphometric and sympathetic innervation of the human posterior intercostal artery and its clinical importance
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 70, No 3 (2011)
Article type
Original article
Pages
161-167
Published online
2011-08-24
Page views
526
Article views/downloads
1109
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2011;70(3):161-167.
Keywords
sympathetic nerve fibres
ageing
elastic fibres
coronary by-pass graft
Authors
S. Reddy
P. Kumar
K. Prasad