Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Microdissection and Immunofluorescence Staining of Myocardial Sleeves in Murine Pulmonary Veins
08:52

Microdissection and Immunofluorescence Staining of Myocardial Sleeves in Murine Pulmonary Veins

Published on: November 21, 2023

Myocardial cleft, crypt, diverticulum, or aneurysm? Does it really matter?

Luis Afonso1, Anupama Kottam, Vipin Khetarpal

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. lafonso@med.wayne.edu

Clinical Cardiology
|May 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Myocardial clefts are congenital heart abnormalities causing myocardial fiber disarray. This report clarifies their terminology and differential diagnosis, noting their presence in healthy individuals and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Imaging
  • Congenital Heart Abnormalities

Background:

  • Myocardial clefts are congenital abnormalities characterized by myocardial fiber or fascicle disarray.
  • These findings have been observed in both healthy volunteers and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Observation:

  • A myocardial cleft is a discrete, V-shaped fissure within the myocardium.
  • It tends to narrow or occlude during systole without causing local hypokinesia or dyskinesia.

Findings:

  • The clinical significance of myocardial clefts remains largely unknown.
  • This report addresses the confusing terminology and differential diagnosis associated with this condition.

Implications:

  • Clarifying the definition and diagnosis of myocardial clefts is crucial for accurate patient assessment.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of myocardial clefts in various cardiac conditions.

More Related Videos

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

Creation of Two Saccular Elastase-Digested Aneurysms with Different Hemodynamics in One Rabbit07:04

Creation of Two Saccular Elastase-Digested Aneurysms with Different Hemodynamics in One Rabbit

Published on: April 15, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Diverticular Disease of the Colon01:27

Diverticular Disease of the Colon

Diverticular disease involves the formation of diverticula—small sac-like outpouchings of the colonic wall—and their complications. It most commonly affects the sigmoid colon due to higher intraluminal pressure and structural vulnerability. It results from structural weakness and increased pressure in the colon, producing pseudodiverticula that may remain silent or progress to inflammation and serious complications.Structure of DiverticulaIn diverticulosis, these outpouchings are...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Aneurysm I: Introduction01:30

Aneurysm I: Introduction

An aortic aneurysm is a localized outpouching or dilation at a weak point in the artery wall. It may involve different parts of the aorta, such as the abdominal aorta, aortic arch, or thoracic aorta.Etiological factorsSeveral disorders are associated with aortic aneurysms.Congenital causes, such as primary connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome, impact the integrity and strength of connective tissues, notably affecting the aorta. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that specifically...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Coronary Circulation01:21

Coronary Circulation

The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
Chambers of the Heart01:16

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...