Fragmento

2592 Alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy. Congestive heart failure and apoptosis Background: Severe congestive heart failure (C.H.F.) is a multisystemic syndrome of multiple etiology, with sombre prognosis. The cellular mechanisms responsible for the progressive deterioration of myocardial function in heart failure remain unclear and might be due to apoptosis (programmed cell death). Objectives: To carry out a retrospective revision of patients deceased 30 years ago at the Hospital del Centenario, Rosario City, with C.H.F. due to alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy (ADCM) and the search for apoptosis. Methods: Six out of 14 male patients (p.) with ADCM and C.H.F., functional classification NYHA x= 3.28 died. Necropsies of 5 p. were performed (age 39 ± 2 years). The follow up from the last hospitalization due to C.H.F. and death was x = 9.7 ± 2.1 months. The necropsies were studied under three aspects: a) revision and analysis of clinical data, b) revision of histopathological findings of sections obtained from paraffin-embedded tissues preserved in Anatomía y Fisiología Patológicas, U.N.R., y c) in situ detection of apoptosis by labeling of DNA strand breaks associated with apoptosis using fluorescein-dUTP and Transferase Terminal enzyme, and specific DNA stain with D.A.P.I., a fluorescent compound. Samples from three other patients without myocardial disease, were used as controls. Results: The revision of clinical records confirms the original diagnosis. Detailed histopathologic observation revealed the presence of apoptotic bodies, confirmed by specific reactions that detect fractured DNA. Conclusions: The new methodology available, useful in spite of the elapsed time (30 years), allows us to deduct that in ADCM with C.H.F., apoptosis is present and could contribute to progressive deterioration and death of these patients.

Palabras clave:

2012-08-27   |   242 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 30 Núm.2. Abril-Junio 2001 Pags. 381-386 Rev Fed Arg Cardiol 2001; 30(2)