Multi-modal characterization of endomyocardial biopsyspecimen for predicting myocardial fibrosis and heart failure

During a cardiovascular disorder, remodeling of heart tissues

occurs. If this remodeling is permanent, it can cause organ

malfunction and even death, if left untreated. Therefore, if the

state of the heart tissues is analyzed at an early stage of the

disease, it can be lifesaving. Right ventricular dysfunction

(RVD) is known to have prognostic significance for several

cardiovascular conditions such as rheumatic heart disease,

myocardial infarction, and heart failure.

Therefore, the physiological changes of ventricular

myocardium can be characterized to predict cardiovascular

conditions which can be life-threatening to the patients. Due to

the unique morphological and physiological properties of the

ventricular myocardium and the clinical significance of

ventricular failure, there is a need to explore specific

mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis and interstitial remodeling

using various characterization methods.

We have already developed a portable diagnostic tool for

characterizing biopsy tissues based on its electrical, optical,

acoustic, and mechanical properties for other parts of the

body.

As a pilot study, we have already explored the electrical and

optical properties of ventricular myocardial tissues obtained

from endomyocardial biopsy specimens from patients

suffering/who suffered from myocardial fibrosis (for diseased

tissue samples) and cadavers (for healthy myocardium

samples), using NIR-based linear polarization system and,

electrical impedance measurement with fabricated microchip.

Our preliminary results using these modalities are

encouraging.

Hence, we would like to explore the mechanics of fibrosis of

heart tissues for predicting cardiovascular condition. This

helps us to develop an intraoperative minimally invasive probe

for characterizing the heart tissues in-vivo.