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Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy: a cause of sudden death in infancy
C Boissy1, A Chevallier, J F Michiels
1Laboratoire d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Pasteur, CHU NICE, France.
Insights
Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy is a rare condition causing sudden death in infants. This case highlights the importance of necropsy for diagnosing this severe cardiac disease in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Sudden Infant Death
Background:
- Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy is a rare cardiac condition affecting infants.
- It is characterized by severe cardiac dysfunction and often leads to sudden death.
Observation:
- A 14-month-old infant presented with sudden death.
- Necropsy revealed cardiac hypertrophy with yellowish myocardial areas.
- Histopathological examination identified histiocyte-like cells with foamy cytoplasm.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed muscular origin with positive desmin and myoglobin staining.
- Electron microscopy showed disorganized myofibrils, indicative of muscular origin.
- This represents the fourteenth reported case associated with sudden death.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis through necropsy is crucial for understanding histiocytoid cardiomyopathy.
- Early identification and potential treatment strategies are vital for affected infants.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis and develop effective interventions.
Abstract:
We report the case of an infant aged of 14 months deceased of sudden death. The diagnosis of histiocytoid cardiomyopathy was made on a necropsic basis. The pathologic examination showed a cardiac hypertrophy characterized by yellowish areas with irregular outlines, disseminated in the myocardium, and made of histiocyte-like cells with foamy or granular cytoplasm. These cells reacted positively with desmin and myoglobin labels, and had rare and disorganised myofibrils in electron microscopy, proving their muscular origin. The illness affects infants and usually causes severe cardiac troubles leading to death without treatment. This case is the fourteenth associated with sudden death.
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