Morphological aspects of heart remodeling in chronic heart failure

Intraoperative biopsy specimens of the right atrium auricula from patients at different stages of chronic heart failure (CHF) were studied using the methods of light and electron microscopy. Marked heteromorphism of cardiomyocytes (CMC) was demonstrated which was found to be correlated to CHF progression. CMC showing the signs of hypertrophy and organelle hyperplasia, sarcomere discomplexation, myofibril fragmentation were identified, as well as CMC containing numerous pinocytotic vesicles, caveolae, distended T-system tubules. Apoptotic CMC and interstitial cells were also shown. No significant correlation between the myocardial cell apoptosis and CHF stage was established.