Experimental biomechanics : microstructural assessment of the mitral valve chordae tendineae based on CECT and cryo-CECT

Details

Supervisors

Kerckhofs, Greet

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil biomédical, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

The microstructure of chordae tendineae, crucial fibrous components of the mitral valve apparatus, plays a significant role in maintaining proper cardiac function by transmitting force from the papillary muscles to the leaflets and allowing the closing/opening of the mitral valve. In this master thesis, we aimed to assess the microstructure of chordae tendineae using CECT and cryo-CECT imaging, which offer detailed 3D visualization and analysis of soft tissues. Our study involved the development of an optimized sample preparation and imaging protocol, enabling high-resolution imaging of chordae tendineae microstructure. Through 3D imaging and analysis, we aimed to uncover new insights into the microstructural composition of the mitral valve chordae tendineae, their tissue characteristics, and potential variations within and among individuals. By comparing the imaging data obtained from CECT and cryo-CECT, we observed complementary information regarding the microstructure of chordae tendineae. CECT at low- and high-resolution enables the assessment of the macroscopic organisation and general morphology of the chordae tendineae, and the characterization of the microstructure of the chordae tendineae, respectively. CECT could, hence, be used to characterize substructures of the chordae tendineae e.g., the adipocytes and blood vessels. Cryo-CECT allowed for the visualization of fine-scale features such as fibrous organization. Hence, cryo-CECT should, thus, be preferred to study the structure and organization of the fibres, i.e., collagen, elastin and muscle fibres. However, cryo-CECT exhibited limitations notably decreasing the visibility of the vessels in the muscle tissue and inducing CESA segregation in the adipocytes. This study serves as a proof of concept for the application of cryo-CECT and CECT in assessing chordae tendineae microstructure. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the structural characteristics and variations within these essential cardiac structures. It opens the path to further studies that can expand our knowledge and explore the potential clinical significance of microstructural variations. Future investigations may focus on comparative studies involving different types of chordae tendineae, evaluation of microstructural changes under specific loading conditions, and examination of the relationship between microstructure and disease progression.