The visceral pericardium: macromolecular structure and contribution to passive mechanical properties of the left ventricle.

ABSTRACT: Much attention has been focused on the passive mechanical properties of the myocardium, which determines left ventricular (LV) diastolic mechanics, but the significance of the visceral pericardium (VP) has not been extensively studied. A unique en face three-dimensional volumetric view of the porcine VP was obtained using two-photon excitation fluorescence to detect elastin and backscattered second harmonic generation to detect collagen, in addition to standard light microscopy with histological staining. Below a layer of mesothelial cells, collagen and elastin fibers, extending several millimeters, form several distinct layers. The configuration of the collagen and elastin layers as well as the location of the VP at the epicardium providing a geometric advantage led to the hypothesis that

SUBMITTER: Jobsis PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2878718 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature