Ultrastruktural diagnosis of hypertrophic kardiomyopathy with β-aktin mutation in sudden death – case report

Overview

Introduction:
Light microscopy and electron microscopy rank among methods to diagnose of cardiomyopathy in forensic medicine, and, recently, the methods of molecular biology.

Methods:
Investigation of 27 year old man who collapsed on his way to work. The Rescuers did not succeed resuscitation of vital function. Samples were H-E stained and processed for the electron microscopy. RNA was isolated from the tissue for the alpha, beta, gama actine primer investigation.

Results:
By H-E staining we proved irregular hypertrophic cardiomyocytes (disarray) with the links and loci patches of thin fibrosis. Ultrastructurally we diagnosed a disarray of Z-bands, accumulation of mitochondria, rectangular nuclei of cardiomyocytes. We have detected rare plasmocytes and leucocytes with specific granules in cytoplasma. In the electronogrames we can see myofibriles oriented longitudinally and transversally. A genetic examination demonstrated beta actin mutation.

Conclusion:
Cardiomyopathy can be a cause of sudden and unexpected death in young individuals and its diagnostics requires an interdisciplinary collaboration.

Keywords:
Sudden and unexpected death – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – ultrastructure of cardiomyocyte – gene mutation.