[Use of mineralogic methods for examination of human tissues. II. Mineralization of heart structures]

Using mineralogic methods of investigation there were analyzed 8 mitral and 6 aortic valves, removed during surgical replacement, and 18 concretions which occluded coronary arteries, removed during surgical revascularization procedures. In all samples two kinds of mineralization were stated: 1. secret-observed as higher than normal content of elements in the tissue, and detected using chemical methods only, and 2. apparent-observed as grains and crystals, composed mainly of hydrated phosphates and hydroxyapatite, often with deposits of lipids and cholesterol.