Diffusion tensor imaging reveals myocardial architectural differences between porcine and primate hearts with potential implications for cardiac xenotransplantation.

ABSTRACT: Although pig-to-baboon cardiac xenotransplantation has become increasingly successful, challenges remain in its clinical translation, particularly in addressing xenograft overgrowth. While several causes can be managed through genetic modifications and hemodynamic control, growth persists. Research on myocardial architecture and interspecies variation is limited. This study employs diffusion tensor imaging to probe the orientation of cardiomyocytes and their aggregations and aims to investigate whether these parameters may act as intrinsic factors, contributing to xenograft overgrowth in a setting of extrinsic hemodynamic mismatch. Five pig and five baboon ex-vivo hearts were compared by cardiac diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. Myocardial architecture was assessed by quantifyin

SUBMITTER: Mulbjerg H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12329012 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature