Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
Published on: June 14, 2016
Changes in myocardial collagen content before and after left ventricular assist device application in dilated
Hong Liang1, Johannes Müller, Yu-guo Weng
1Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China. lianghong58@hotmail.com
Insights
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) alters myocardial collagen fractions, not total collagen, influencing prognosis. These collagen changes indicate a reversal of maladaptive remodeling after LVAD implantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) involves significant myocardial interstitial remodeling.
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used to manage advanced DCM.
- Understanding collagen changes post-LVAD is crucial for prognosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm changes in myocardial collagen levels after LVAD support in DCM patients.
- To correlate these collagen changes with patient prognosis.
- To evaluate a practical method for assessing myocardial collagen levels.
Main Methods:
- Left ventricular samples from DCM patients (transplanted and weaning groups) were analyzed pre- and post-LVAD implantation.
- Collagen fractions (NSC, ASC, total, ISC) were quantified using Sircol assay and hydroxyproline.
- Serum procollagen peptides (P I CP, P I NP, P III NP, I CTP) were measured via radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- LVAD support altered specific collagen fractions, with differences observed between transplanted and weaning groups.
- Myocardial collagen levels in the transplanted group normalized after LVAD support compared to the weaning group.
- Serum procollagen peptide levels showed distinct patterns in transplanted versus weaning groups post-LVAD.
Conclusions:
- Myocardial interstitial remodeling in DCM is characterized by changes in collagen fractions, not total collagen, and is linked to prognosis.
- LVAD support can reverse maladaptive myocardial interstitial remodeling, as evidenced by collagen content and serum procollagen peptide changes.
- These findings highlight the role of collagen remodeling in DCM and the therapeutic potential of LVADs.
Background:
The purposes of this study were to confirm the changes in myocardial collagen level after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), find the relation between these changes and prognosis, and test a practical method to assess the level of myocardial collagen.
Methods:
Left ventricular samples were collected from DCM patients with different prognosis (transplanted group n = 8, weaning group n = 10) at the time when the LVADs were implanted and again during cardiac transplantation (n = 8). The level of neutral salt soluble collagen (NSC) and acid soluble collagen (ASC) was measured by Sircol collagen assay, and that of total collagen and insoluble collagen (ISC) by quantification of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Serum samples were collected from a portion of these patients (transplanted group, n = 6; weaning group n = 7) at the time the LVADs were implanted, 1 month after implantation and on explantation. Circulating concentration of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P I CP), amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P I NP), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (P III NP) and type I collagen telopeptide (I CTP) were measured by the equilibrium type radioimmunoassay.
Results:
Before LVAD implantation the level of NSC and ISC in the weaning group was higher but ASC in the transplanted group was lower than in the controls (P < 0.05). After LVAD support, the level of total collagen was higher, but ASC was also lower in the transplanted group than in the controls (P < 0.05). In comparison of the pre- and post-LVAD subgroups of the transplanted and weaning groups, all collagen fraction levels before LVAD implantation were lower in the transplanted group than in the weaning group (P < 0.05); but this difference disappeared after LVAD support. Comparison of the pre- and post-LVAD subgroups of the transplanted group showed increased level of NSC and total collagen after LVAD support. The changes of serum peptide concentration showed that P III NP increased constantly in the transplanted group, but P I CP and P I NP increased in the weaning group after LVAD implantation.
Conclusions:
The changes in myocardial collagen level as a sign of myocardial interstitial remodeling in DCM are not involved with total collagen but involved with collagen fractions, and they are related to prognosis. The changes of myocardial collagen content and serum procollagen peptide after LVAD support can be regarded as an expression of the reverse of maladaptive myocardial interstitial remodeling.
More Related Videos
05:25Surgical Porcine Model of Chronic Myocardial Ischemia Treated by Exosome-laden Collagen Patch and Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Published on: September 15, 2023
07:24Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR
Published on: April 8, 2013
