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Floppy mitral valve chordae tendineae: histopathologic alterations
P B Baker1, G Bansal, H Boudoulas
1Department of Pathology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Human Pathology
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Histopathologic alterations in floppy mitral valve chordae tendineae, including collagen changes and acid mucopolysaccharide accumulation, are common. These findings explain abnormal physical properties and may lead to chordal rupture.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Histopathology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Pathologic studies of floppy mitral valves predominantly focus on valve cusps, neglecting chordae tendineae.
- The structural integrity of chordae tendineae is crucial for normal valve function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the histopathology of chordae tendineae in floppy mitral valves.
- To compare these alterations with normal controls and valves with ischemic regurgitation.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic analysis of 128 nonruptured chordae from 8 floppy mitral valves.
- Comparison with 152 chordae from 10 normal controls and 152 chordae from 8 ischemic heart disease controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in collagen alterations and acid mucopolysaccharide accumulation in floppy mitral valve chordae compared to controls (38% vs. 2-3%).
- Nonuniform histopathologic alterations were frequent in floppy mitral valve chordae (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Histopathologic changes in floppy mitral valve chordae tendineae provide a basis for their abnormal physical properties.
- These alterations may predispose the chordae to elongation and rupture, contributing to severe mitral regurgitation.