Light and electron microscopic findings in intramural coronary arteries of swine for slaughter
Reetz, J.; Bergmann, V.
Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin 38(4): 469-481
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9055 PMID: 6487030 Document Number: 235778
The intramural coronary arteries of 132 pigs, aged about nine months (body weight 120 kg), and seven piglets were examined by light microscopy of the basis of five myocardial samples taken from each animal. Fifty of the animals had been normally slaughtered, while another 52 had been slaughtered under emergency conditions for circulatory failure during transport, and 30 had died during transport. Two types of non-inflammatory vascular changes were abundant in slaughter pigs. Musculoelastic thickening of the intima was recorded from all animals, while 56% of them exhibited intima media-swelling. The former vascular change had been attributable to the entry of mediocytes into the intima and fragmentation of the elastica interna, while the latter may be caused by oedema and proliferation of basal substance in the intima-media region. Both processes were associated with eccentric or concentric lumen constriction and occurred primarily in the papillary muscles. While there was no difference in incidence of these changes between the three groups of pigs, they may be related to myocardial micronecrosis, a common phenomenon in swine, and to acute cardiovascular failure.