Morphological changes of left and right atrial myocytes in rheumatic heart disease patients with atrial fibrillation / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

6 months; Control group (n=8) without AF. Atrial muscle samples of the left and right atrial appendage were cut off during heart valve replacement. Morphological changes were observed by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Results ① The incidence rates of Aschoff body were 37.5% (3/8), 46% (5/11) , and 50% (6/12) in Group Ⅰ, Group Ⅱ, and the control group. There was no difference in Aschoff body between the left and right atrial myocytes. ② There was no difference in myocytic degeneration, interstitial hyperplasia, and lymphocytes infiltration between the left and right atrial myocytes in each group. ③ Myolysis, accumulation of glycogen, and fibrosis were detected by electron microscopy in the 3 groups. Changes of myolysis and fibrosis were more obvious in patients with AF than patients without AF. Conclusion There are similar pathological changes in the left and right atria in rheumatic heart disease patients with or without AF. Fibrosis of atrial myocytes may be involved in the occurrence and maintenance of AF.