Arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and Monckeberg medial calcific sclerosis: what is the difference?

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in contemporary times. Arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different vascular pathologies. The objective of this study is to review the concepts of atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and Monckeberg medial calcific sclerosis (MMCS). The term arteriosclerosis is more generic, meaning the stiffening and consequent loss of elasticity of the arterial wall, and encompasses the other terms. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease secondary to lesions in the intimal layer and whose main complication is acute and chronic obstruction of the arterial lumen. Arteriolosclerosis refers to thickening of arterioles, particularly in association with systemic arterial hypertension. MMCS refers to non-obstructive calcification in the internal elastic lamina or the tunica media of muscular arteries. Vascular calcifications, which include atherosclerotic lesions and MMCS, have been studied as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Experiência no ensino de patologia em tempos de pandemia / Experience in teaching pathology during the pandemic

Resumo: Introdução: A patologia é uma disciplina básica que exerce o link entre ciclos básicos e clínico-cirúrgicos. A partir do início de 2020, com a pandemia provocada pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave do coronavírus 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 - Sars-CoV-2) e a implantação do ensino remoto emergencial (ERE), o curso de patologia em nossa instituição sofreu alterações e adaptações. O presente trabalho tem como objetivos relatar as atividades desenvolvidas em nossa faculdade para o ensino da patologia geral, dentro do contexto do ERE, e discutir como parte dessas estratégias poderá ser incorporada após o término da pandemia. Relato de experiência: Para o ensino das alterações macroscópicas, utilizamos discussões com peças cirúrgicas filmadas, enquanto as alterações microscópicas foram desenvolvidas no chamado "Projeto Atlas". Discussão: Nosso projeto foi bem dinâmico com grande aceitação por parte dos alunos que tiveram atitudes mais proativas, principalmente em relação ao estudo dos casos de microscopia. As estratégias também se prestaram muito bem como forma de avaliação formativa. Conclusão: Muitas das estratégias que têm sido desenvolvidas por diferentes grupos de professores neste momento da pandemia trouxeram alternativas muito interessantes que devem ser incorporadas ao curso mesmo quando ele voltar a ser presencial. Peças filmadas contemplaram o estudo da macroscopia durante esse período de restrições e podem ser incorporadas à rotina presencial, intercalando com as técnicas utilizadas anteriormente. Já o "Projeto Atlas" foi uma experiência positiva, ressaltando o papel do aluno como protagonista do seu processo de ensino/aprendizagem e o trabalho em pequenos grupos como pontos principais.

Abstract: Introduction: Pathology is a basic discipline that acts as a link between basic and clinical-surgical cycles. Since the beginning of 2020, with the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SarsCoV-2) and the implementation of emergency remote education (ERE), the pathology course in our institution has undergone changes and adaptations. This paper aims to report the activities developed in our college for the teaching of general pathology, within the context of ERE and discuss how part of these strategies may be incorporated after the end of the pandemic. Experience report: For teaching macroscopic changes we used discussions with filmed surgical specimens while microscopic changes were developed in the so-called "Atlas Project". Discussion: Our project was very dynamic and widely accepted by students with a more proactive attitudes, especially regarding the study of microscopic cases. The strategies also lent themselves very well as a formative form of evaluation. Conclusion: Many of the strategies that have been developed by different groups of teachers during this pandemic have brought very interesting alternatives that should be incorporated into the course even when face-to-face classes are resumed. The filmed pieces include the study of macroscopy during this period of restrictions and can be incorporated into the classroom routine, interspersed with the techniques used previously. The Atlas Project was a positive experience, highlighting the role of the student as the protagonist of his teaching/learning process and work in small groups as main points.

Arteriosclerose, aterosclerose, arteriolosclerose e esclerose calcificante da média de Monckeberg: qual a diferença? / Arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and Monckeberg medial calcific sclerosis: what is the difference?

Resumo A principal causa de óbito na contemporaneidade são as doenças cardiovasculares. Arteriosclerose, aterosclerose, arteriolosclerose e arteriosclerose de Monckeberg são termos frequentemente utilizados como sinônimos, mas traduzem alterações distintas. O objetivo desta revisão foi discutir os conceitos de arteriosclerose, aterosclerose, arteriolosclerose e esclerose calcificante da média de Monckeberg. O termo arteriosclerose é considerado mais genérico, significando o enrijecimento e a consequente perda de elasticidade da parede arterial, abarcando os demais tipos. A aterosclerose é uma doença inflamatória secundária a lesões na camada íntima, que tem como principal complicação obstrução crônica e aguda do lúmen arterial. A arteriolosclerose se refere ao espessamento das arteríolas, particularmente relacionada à hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Já a esclerose calcificante da média de Monckeberg designa a calcificação, não obstrutiva, da lâmina elástica interna ou da túnica média de artérias musculares. As calcificações vasculares, que incluem lesões ateroscleróticas e a esclerose calcificante da média de Monckeberg, vêm sendo estudadas como um fator de risco para a morbimortalidade cardiovascular.

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in contemporary times. Arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different vascular pathologies. The objective of this study is to review the concepts of atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and Monckeberg medial calcific sclerosis (MMCS). The term arteriosclerosis is more generic, meaning the stiffening and consequent loss of elasticity of the arterial wall, and encompasses the other terms. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease secondary to lesions in the intimal layer and whose main complication is acute and chronic obstruction of the arterial lumen. Arteriolosclerosis refers to thickening of arterioles, particularly in association with systemic arterial hypertension. MMCS refers to non-obstructive calcification in the internal elastic lamina or the tunica media of muscular arteries. Vascular calcifications, which include atherosclerotic lesions and MMCS, have been studied as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in tuberous sclerosis complex: case report and review of the literature

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor which constitutes the most common cardiovascular feature of the tuberous sclerosis complex, a multisystem genetically determined neurocutaneous disorder. Cardiac rhabdomyomas can be detected in the prenatal ultrasound, are usually asymptomatic and spontaneously regress within the first three years of life. Less often, the tumors' size, number, and location can produce a mass effect that may lead to blood flow abnormalities or organ dysfunction (heart failure and arrhythmia). In this setting, severe morbidity, and eventually, a lethal outcome despite clinical and surgical treatment may ensue. We describe a fatal case of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in a newborn girl. One of the rhabdomyomas was large and unfavorably located, causing significant obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. The autopsy identified, in addition to cardiac rhabdomyomas, brain glioneuronal hamartomas (cortical tubers), subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell tumors, characteristic of the tuberous sclerosis complex. The newborn's family was investigated for the presence of typical clinical symptoms of the complex and image findings showed significant phenotypical variations and a broad symptom spectrum among the family members. This interesting case underscores the variability of tuberous sclerosis complex and the importance of performing a comprehensive postmortem examination in the identification of the cause of death, especially in the setting of familial disease.

Multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in tuberous sclerosis complex: case report and review of the literature.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor which constitutes the most common cardiovascular feature of the tuberous sclerosis complex, a multisystem genetically determined neurocutaneous disorder. Cardiac rhabdomyomas can be detected in the prenatal ultrasound, are usually asymptomatic and spontaneously regress within the first three years of life. Less often, the tumors' size, number, and location can produce a mass effect that may lead to blood flow abnormalities or organ dysfunction (heart failure and arrhythmia). In this setting, severe morbidity, and eventually, a lethal outcome despite clinical and surgical treatment may ensue. We describe a fatal case of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in a newborn girl. One of the rhabdomyomas was large and unfavorably located, causing significant obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. The autopsy identified, in addition to cardiac rhabdomyomas, brain glioneuronal hamartomas (cortical tubers), subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell tumors, characteristic of the tuberous sclerosis complex. The newborn's family was investigated for the presence of typical clinical symptoms of the complex and image findings showed significant phenotypical variations and a broad symptom spectrum among the family members. This interesting case underscores the variability of tuberous sclerosis complex and the importance of performing a comprehensive postmortem examination in the identification of the cause of death, especially in the setting of familial disease.

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with pulmonary involvement and carcinomatous transformation

Papilloma associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection types 6 and 11, is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx. The clinical features of RRP vary widely from mild to aggressive forms. RRP in children is known as juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP). Its outcome may be poor or even fatal due to the high rate of recurrence and eventual spread to the entire respiratory tract. Pulmonary invasion is reported to occur in 3.3% of patients with RRP, and malignant transformation in 0.5% of patients. We report the case of a 39-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of JORRP from the age of 3 years, with extensive bilateral pulmonary involvement and malignant transformation. Analysis of the papilloma and carcinomatous tissues revealed the presence of HPV type 11, which is associated with rapid and aggressive progression. We discussed the case on the basis of a literature review on pulmonary invasion, malignant transformation, and HPV 11 aggressiveness.

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with pulmonary involvement and carcinomatous transformation.

Papilloma associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection types 6 and 11, is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx. The clinical features of RRP vary widely from mild to aggressive forms. RRP in children is known as juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP). Its outcome may be poor or even fatal due to the high rate of recurrence and eventual spread to the entire respiratory tract. Pulmonary invasion is reported to occur in 3.3% of patients with RRP, and malignant transformation in 0.5% of patients. We report the case of a 39-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of JORRP from the age of 3 years, with extensive bilateral pulmonary involvement and malignant transformation. Analysis of the papilloma and carcinomatous tissues revealed the presence of HPV type 11, which is associated with rapid and aggressive progression. We discussed the case on the basis of a literature review on pulmonary invasion, malignant transformation, and HPV 11 aggressiveness.

Bone metastasis as the first symptom of tumors: role of an immunohistochemistry study in establishing primary tumor / Metástase óssea como primeira manifestação de tumores: contribuição do estudo imuno-histoquímico para o estabelecimento do tumor primário

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the role of immunohistochemistry in identifying the primary site of tumors, and in establishing which bones are most frequently involved, their relationship with the primary tumor site, and the rate of pathologic bone fracture as the first symptom of a malignant tumor. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all medical records on bone metastases the cases treated between January 2006 and December 2011 at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology was performed. Results: Immunohistochemistry correctly determined the primary tumor site in 61.2% of cases analyzed. Regarding the metastatic site, the most affected bone was the femur, accounting for 49.6% of the sample. Bone metastasis was the first symptom of the tumor in only 20.2% of patients, and of these, 95% were admitted for pathologic bone fracture. Conclusion: The study showed that the primary sites and their incidence rate are consistent with the literature reviewed. It was noted that in this sample, most patients did not present with pathologic bone fracture as the first clinical symptom of neoplastic disease. However, analysis of those patients that had a metastasis as the first clinical symptom revealed that it manifested itself as a pathologic fracture in almost all cases. The immunohistochemical study was consistent with the primary tumor site in most cases, indicating the value of the method in the detection of the primary site.

RESUMO Objetivos: Determinar a contribuição do estudo imuno-histoquímico na identificação do sítio primário da neoplasia, além de estabelecer quais os ossos mais frequentemente comprometidos, sua relação com o sítio primário neoplásico e a frequência de fratura em osso patológico como primeira manifestação do tumor maligno. Métodos: Foram levantados, retrospectivamente, todos os prontuários de metástases ósseas de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2011 do Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. Resultados: O estudo imuno-histoquímico determinou corretamente o sítio primário neoplásico em 61,2% dos casos analisados. Com relação à localização metastática, o osso mais acometido foi o fêmur, correspondeu a 49,6% da amostra. A metástase óssea foi a primeira manifestação da neoplasia em apenas 20,2% dos pacientes; desses, 95% deram entrada com quadro de fratura do osso patológico. Conclusão: O estudo evidenciou que os sítios primários e sua frequência de incidência são compatíveis com a literatura avaliada. Observou-se que, na presente amostra, a maior parte dos pacientes não apresentou a fratura do osso patológico como primeira manifestação clínica da doença neoplásica. Entretanto, quando analisados os pacientes que apresentaram como primeiro sintoma clínico a metástase, essa se manifestou por meio de fratura patológica em quase todos os pacientes. O estudo imuno-histoquímico foi compatível com o sítio primário neoplásico na maioria dos casos, demonstrou a relevância de tal método no auxílio da identificação do sítio primário.

Bone metastasis as the first symptom of tumors: role of an immunohistochemistry study in establishing primary tumor.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of immunohistochemistry in identifying the primary site of tumors, and in establishing which bones are most frequently involved, their relationship with the primary tumor site, and the rate of pathologic bone fracture as the first symptom of a malignant tumor. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all medical records on bone metastases the cases treated between January 2006 and December 2011 at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology was performed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry correctly determined the primary tumor site in 61.2% of cases analyzed. Regarding the metastatic site, the most affected bone was the femur, accounting for 49.6% of the sample. Bone metastasis was the first symptom of the tumor in only 20.2% of patients, and of these, 95% were admitted for pathologic bone fracture. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the primary sites and their incidence rate are consistent with the literature reviewed. It was noted that in this sample, most patients did not present with pathologic bone fracture as the first clinical symptom of neoplastic disease. However, analysis of those patients that had a metastasis as the first clinical symptom revealed that it manifested itself as a pathologic fracture in almost all cases. The immunohistochemical study was consistent with the primary tumor site in most cases, indicating the value of the method in the detection of the primary site.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a contribuição do estudo imuno-histoquímico na identificação do sítio primário da neoplasia, além de estabelecer quais os ossos mais frequentemente comprometidos, sua relação com o sítio primário neoplásico e a frequência de fratura em osso patológico como primeira manifestação do tumor maligno. MÉTODOS: Foram levantados, retrospectivamente, todos os prontuários de metástases ósseas de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2011 do Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. RESULTADOS: O estudo imuno-histoquímico determinou corretamente o sítio primário neoplásico em 61,2% dos casos analisados. Com relação à localização metastática, o osso mais acometido foi o fêmur, correspondeu a 49,6% da amostra. A metástase óssea foi a primeira manifestação da neoplasia em apenas 20,2% dos pacientes; desses, 95% deram entrada com quadro de fratura do osso patológico. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo evidenciou que os sítios primários e sua frequência de incidência são compatíveis com a literatura avaliada. Observou-se que, na presente amostra, a maior parte dos pacientes não apresentou a fratura do osso patológico como primeira manifestação clínica da doença neoplásica. Entretanto, quando analisados os pacientes que apresentaram como primeiro sintoma clínico a metástase, essa se manifestou por meio de fratura patológica em quase todos os pacientes. O estudo imuno-histoquímico foi compatível com o sítio primário neoplásico na maioria dos casos, demonstrou a relevância de tal método no auxílio da identificação do sítio primário.

Mycotic aneurysm with aortoduodenal fistula.

Firstly described in the 19th century by Sir William Osler, the mycotic aneurysm (MA) is a rare entity characterized by an abnormal arterial dilation, which is potentially fatal, and is associated with the infection of the vascular wall. Elderly patients are mostly involved, especially when risk factors like chronic diseases, immunosuppression, neoplasia, and arterial manipulation are associated. The authors report the case of a young male patient diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm of infectious origin in the presence of repeated negative blood cultures. The diagnostic hypothesis was raised when the patient was hospitalized for an inguinal hernia surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed based on imaging findings consistent with mycotic aneurism. The patient was treated with an endovascular prosthesis associated with a long-lasting antibiotic therapy. Five months later, the patient attended the emergency unit presenting an upper digestive hemorrhage and shock, from which he died. The autopsy revealed a huge aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with an aortoduodenal fistula. The histological examination of the arterial wall revealed a marked inflammatory process, extensive destruction of the arterial wall, and the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. This case highlights the atypical presentation of a MA associated with an aortoduodenal fistula. Besides the early age of the patient, no primary arterial disease could be found, and no source of infection was detected.

Mycotic aneurysm with aortoduodenal fistula

Firstly described in the 19th century by Sir William Osler, the mycotic aneurysm (MA) is a rare entity characterized by an abnormal arterial dilation, which is potentially fatal, and is associated with the infection of the vascular wall. Elderly patients are mostly involved, especially when risk factors like chronic diseases, immunosuppression, neoplasia, and arterial manipulation are associated. The authors report the case of a young male patient diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm of infectious origin in the presence of repeated negative blood cultures. The diagnostic hypothesis was raised when the patient was hospitalized for an inguinal hernia surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed based on imaging findings consistent with mycotic aneurism. The patient was treated with an endovascular prosthesis associated with a long-lasting antibiotic therapy. Five months later, the patient attended the emergency unit presenting an upper digestive hemorrhage and shock, from which he died. The autopsy revealed a huge aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with an aortoduodenal fistula. The histological examination of the arterial wall revealed a marked inflammatory process, extensive destruction of the arterial wall, and the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. This case highlights the atypical presentation of a MA associated with an aortoduodenal fistula. Besides the early age of the patient, no primary arterial disease could be found,and no source of infection was detected.

Use of cytology as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in autopsies.

BACKGROUND: The use of minimally invasive procedures in autopsies such as image-guided fine-needle aspiration may facilitate family acceptance and, therefore, increase the number of postmortem examinations. The objective of the current study was to validate the use of cytology in a prospective set of conventional autopsies. METHODS: All lesions and organs sampled for histological examination were concomitantly evaluated by scrape cytology of exactly the same location. The cytopathologist and the surgical pathologist were blinded to each other's microscopic findings. Final cytological and histological diagnoses were divided into 6 main diagnostic groups: normal, neoplasms (benign and malignant), inflammatory conditions, adaptive processes, degeneration, and cardiovascular disorders. Cytohistological agreement was assessed with Cohen's κ coefficient. The simple percentage agreement was also reported for each diagnostic group and for all different organs sampled in the postmortem examinations. RESULTS: Two hundred eleven samples were studied from 36 consecutive autopsies (21 males and 15 females; median age, 58 years). Complete cytohistological agreement was achieved for 151 samples (71.6%) with a κ coefficient of 0.43 (moderate correlation). When samples were divided by diagnostic group, the best results were seen in normal specimens (93.8%) and neoplasms (82.3%). Organs with the best performance included the thyroid, cerebellum, lymph nodes, and adrenal glands (all with 100% agreement), the brain (90.5%), and the pancreas (84.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Cytology showed a good correlation with histology, particularly for neoplastic cases and specimens with minimal pathological alterations, and could be used as an alternative diagnostic method in partial or restricted postmortem examinations. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:785-90. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Cardiac amyloidosis: a challenging diagnosis.

Cardiovascular involvement of amyloidosis is present in 90% of cases, which is frequently associated with the primary form of the disease (AL amyloidosis). Clinical manifestations are represented by heart failure due to restrictive myocardiopathy and electrical impulse conduction abnormalities, which are clinically remarkable in up to 50% of the cases. The prognosis of patients with systemic amyloidosis is directly associated with the presence of cardiac involvement, such that survival does not usually exceed 4 months after the onset of heart failure signs and symptoms. The authors report a case of primary systemic amyloidosis, diagnosed only at autopsy, with severe cardiac involvement.

Capillary hemangiomatosis like-lesions in lung biopsies from children with congenital heart defects.

The morphological findings in the lung vessels of children with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with uncorrected congenital cardiac shunts may be qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by lung biopsy in selected cases. Among 297 lung biopsies collected over a period of 11 years two cases were detected presenting the typical findings of pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, a rare disorder usually associated with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. We report the clinical and histological findings and discuss about the impact of this unexpected and not-previously described associated lesion on the prognosis and on the therapeutic strategy in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.

Technique for quantifying and qualifying debris captured in embolic protection filters

Contexto: A qualidade e a quantidade de partículas coletadas em filtros de proteção cerebral (FPC) durante angioplastia transluminal percutânea com stent (ATPS) podem esclarecer a importância desses dispositivos no tratamento de estenoses carotídeas. Objetivos: Analisar o conteúdo retido por FPC em pacientes submetidos a ATPS de artéria carótida interna com nova técnica de análise qualiquantitativa. Métodos: O material coletado em 10 FPC durante ATPS da bifurcação da carótida em pacientes com alto risco cirúrgico foi submetido a análise microscópica qualiquantitativa. Fotografias digitais das lâminas com material corado com hematoxilina e eosina foram analisadas com o programa Axio Vision LE Release 4.1, que calculou a área das partículas em micrômetros/metro quadrado (µm²). Resultados: O exame histopatológico evidenciou material em 100 por cento dos filtros consistindo predominantemente de restos hemáticos, cristais de colesterol e cálcio. A área média de fragmentos coletados foi expressiva (1.570.310 µm²), e houve ampla variância desses valores. Conclusões: Os FPC coletam quantidade importante de fragmentos de placas de ateroma, e a grande variância nas quantidades de material coletado pode estar associada com a gravidade da lesão, motivo pelo qual se tornam relevantes estudos que utilizem técnica padronizada para a quantificação desses fragmentos e para a compreensão de seu real significado clínico.

Background: Quality and quantity of the content retained in embolic protection filters (EPFs) used in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting may possibly indicate the importance of EPFs in the management of carotid stenosis. Objectives: To analyze the content retained by EPFs in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting of the internal carotid artery using a new technique for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Methods: Material captured in 10 EPFs during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in high-surgical-risk patients was examined to determine a qualitative and quantitative microscopic analysis. Digital photographs of the hematoxylin-eosin stained slides were analyzed using the Axio Vision LE Release 4.1 software in order to calculate the particles area in micra/square meter (µm²). Results: Histopathological examination identified particulate debris in 100 percent of the filters including predominantly blood residues, cholesterol crystals, and calcium Quantity of captured fragments was significant (mean of 1,570,310 µm²) with a wide range of these values. Conclusions: Significant quantity of fragments of atheromatous plaques is retained by EPFs and the wide range in the quantity of the retained debris can be associated with the lesion severity; therefore new studies using standardized technique for quantifying these fragments and for better understanding their real clinical meaning are necessary.

Diffuse-regressive alterations and apoptosis of myocytes: possible causes of myocardial dysfunction in HIV-related cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of cardiac alterations in necropsies of AIDS patients in pre-HAART era and better understand the pathogenesis of HIV-related cardiomyopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 94 complete necropsies. METHOD: Macroscopic, histopathologic (histochemical, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques) and ultra structural myocardial evaluation (23 cases). RESULTS: Cardiac alterations were observed in 94.4%; 74% showed variable degrees of cardiac dilation not related to known cardiovascular diseases. Eighty-two percent (81.8%) of patients with biventricular dilation showed diffuse-regressive alterations (thinning and waving cardiomyocytes with increase of lipofuscin pigment granules). Myocarditis was diagnosed in 27 cases (28.7%), 16 (59.3%) of known etiology. The ultra structural study has revealed cardiomyocytes alterations (mitochondriosis, loss of myofibrils, increase in the amount of perinuclear-lipofuscin pigment granules) associated to activation signals of capillary-endothelial cells (enhancement of pseudopodia and transcellular channels). Cardiomyocytes' apoptosis was demonstrated at structural level in 10 (43.5%) patients; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was detected in 17/18 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This pioneer study described the association of histopathological and ultra structural findings (thinning and waving cardiomyocytes with increase of lipofuscin pigment granules, mitochondriosis and loss of myofibrils) with different degrees of cardiac-chamber dilation probably representing a spectrum of alterations that would lead to myocardial dysfunction and development of HIV-related cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyocytes' apoptosis observed at ultra structural level and demonstration of TNF alpha associated to described alterations suggest that this cytokine plays an important role in both negative-inotropic effect and capacity to induce apoptosis through death receptor-controlled pathway.

Bilateral papillary muscle infarction in a chagasic patient.

We report a case of a 59-year-old patient diagnosed with chagasic cardiomyopathy, who manifested sudden heart failure while hospitalized, evolving to death due to cardiogenic and septic shock. Anatomical-pathological studies revealed infarction of the papillary muscles together with histological changes compatible with 48 to 72 hours of evolution. Pulmonary edema was considered the cause of death, probably related to mitral regurgitation of ischemic nature. The cause of the papillary muscle infarction was not elucidated by study of the coronary tree, which presented no signs of recent thrombosis. Explanation for the papillary muscle infarction in this patient may be related to the presence of alterations in microcirculation represented by vasodilation and the consequent phenomenon of "stealing" of blood flow in this territory to the detriment of other areas, or due to the fact that the papillary muscles may represent convergence zones of two distinct coronary circulations.