Case Report by Shaheen E. Lakhan and Lindsey Harle
Myocardial fibrosis occurs in a number of pathological processes, most commonly hypertension. Other disease states capable of producing cardiac fibrosis include hypereosinophilia, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, radiation and drug effects, viral myocarditis and inherited genetic mutations. Normal aging is also associated with a certain degree of interstitial fibrosis, but the degree of this nonpathological fibrosis is yet to be determined.
Background
Cardiac fibrosis occurs with normal aging, but the extent of this process and its effect on cardiac function is unknown. Fibrosis in the nonhypertensive elderly patient is thought to be due to decreased degradation, and not increased deposition, of collagen. The cause of this decreased degradation is unknown. Athletes commonly develop cardiac hypertrophy, and recent evidence has linked long-term physical activity to the development of interstitial myocardial fibrosis. Whether this exercise-induced fibrosis occurs regularly, or only in genetically predisposed individuals, is unknown.
Case presentation
We present the case of an elderly, nonhypertensive athlete who died suddenly of sepsis. Autopsy demonstrated foci of fibrosis throughout the right and left ventricle and significant narrowing of the left ventricular cavity. The findings may be secondary to aging, athletic activity or an undiagnosed medical condition.
Conclusion
The true incidence and importance of age- and exercise-associated myocardial fibrosis is an area for future research.
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Case Report by Shaheen E. Lakhan and Lindsey Harle
Myocardial fibrosis occurs in a number of pathological processes, most commonly hypertension. Other disease states capable of producing cardiac fibrosis include hypereosinophilia, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, radiation and drug effects, viral myocarditis and inherited genetic mutations. Normal aging is also associated with a certain degree of interstitial fibrosis, but the degree of this nonpathological fibrosis is yet to be determined.
Background
Cardiac fibrosis occurs with normal aging, but the extent of this process and its effect on cardiac function is unknown. Fibrosis in the nonhypertensive elderly patient is thought to be due to decreased degradation, and not increased deposition, of collagen. The cause of this decreased degradation is unknown. Athletes commonly develop cardiac hypertrophy, and recent evidence has linked long-term physical activity to the development of interstitial myocardial fibrosis. Whether this exercise-induced fibrosis occurs regularly, or only in genetically predisposed individuals, is unknown.
Case presentation
We present the case of an elderly, nonhypertensive athlete who died suddenly of sepsis. Autopsy demonstrated foci of fibrosis throughout the right and left ventricle and significant narrowing of the left ventricular cavity. The findings may be secondary to aging, athletic activity or an undiagnosed medical condition.
Conclusion
The true incidence and importance of age- and exercise-associated myocardial fibrosis is an area for future research.
Read More....