Effect of storage temperature on bovine cardiac morphology

To determine the effects of 2 storage protocols on postmortem cardiac morphology.

11 hearts were used and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: refrigeration for 7 days at 4 °C (group 1) or frozen for 6 days at -20 °C (group 2). Hearts were evaluated for weight, ventricular and intraventricular septal wall thickness, and valvular thickness circumference. The hearts in group 1 were measured daily for 7 days, whereas the hearts in group 2 were measured on day 0, frozen for 6 days, and thawed at ambient temperature overnight and remeasured on day 7.

The effect of day had a significant impact on left ventricular (LV) apex thickness for both groups 1 and 2. The LV apex thickness was reduced by approximately 1.9 mm (group 1) and 0.8 mm (group 2). Day also had a significant effect on LV midwall in group 1; however, it was not significant until day 6, indicating a longer period of tissue stability compared to LV apex.

The LV apex was the first parameter to change; however, it is important to take into consideration that the majority of the parameters did not change significantly when determining a timeline. This study found refrigeration as a viable option for short-term storage depending on collection timeframe.

This study is clinically relevant as it gives veterinarians time to assess necropsied tissue.