Abstract
Heterotopic cardiomyocytes (CMC) have been described in the wall of pulmonary veins including intraparenchymatous branches, in various species of laboratory animals. Brief note is given here of their morphology including electron microscopy and immunohistological findings. From the current literature hints concerning arrhythmogenic activity of heterotopic CMC in pulmonary vessels in the possible initiation of atrial tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation are also mentioned.
Highlights
In previous experimental studies we have repeatedly observed the heterotopic occurence of cardiomyocytes (CMC) in the walls of pulmonary vessels in various species of laboratory animals, more especially white mice, including genetic lines of athymic nude mice – Nu/Nu, and in rabbits
In view of the current clinical relevance of heterotopic CMC in pulmonary veins as possible foci of arrhythmogenic activity leading to atrial tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation, our findings are briefly mentioned in this communication
The occurence of cellular elements of myocardial tissue in the wall of the large pulmonary veins in man and animals was considered in the past to be a continual extension of cardiomyocytes (CMC) from the left atrial myocardium into the vessels wall in the region of the veno-atrial junction[1]
Summary
Heterotopic cardiomyocytes (CMC) have been described in the wall of pulmonary veins including intraparenchymatous branches, in various species of laboratory animals. Brief note is given here of their morphology including electron microscopy and immunohistological findings. From the current literature hints concerning arrhythmogenic activity of heterotopic CMC in pulmonary vessels in the possible initiation of atrial tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation are mentioned
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