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An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat
Published on: May 19, 2020
Structural changes of rat mitral valve chordae tendineae during postnatal development
Michael G Dickinson1, Ivan Vesely
1Center for Congenital Heart Diseases, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. m.g.dickinson@umcg.nl
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
|September 8, 2012
Summary
Rat chordae tendineae develop significantly after birth, with collagen fibrils maturing and aligning by adulthood. This study details their microstructural development from day 1 to adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Mitral valve chordae tendineae are crucial for heart function.
- Their tensile properties depend on microstructure, which changes with age.
- Chordae tendineae maturation and microstructure are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural maturation of rat chordae tendineae.
- To analyze microstructural changes from postnatal day 1 to adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Studied rat chordae tendineae at 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30 days postnatal, and in adults.
- Utilized light microscopy to observe microstructural differences.
- Employed polarized light microscopy to determine collagen fibril crimp period.
Main Results:
- Chordae tendineae were undeveloped at postnatal day 1.
- Chordae formation initiated via leaflet tissue gaps, with numerous chordae appearing from day 7.
- Mature chordae exhibited aligned, densely packed collagen fibrils with increasing crimp period with age.
Conclusions:
- Rat chordae tendineae require postnatal development, completing maturation by adulthood (>30 days).
- Understanding chordae development informs tissue-engineered chordae for surgical repair.
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