Cardiac Path Network

Young man, sudden cardiac death. Left ventricle fibrosis and fatty infiltration. This is arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Young man. Clinically DCM. Myocardium shows fat and fibrosis. Patients on long term LVAD support get fibrosis and fat within the myocytes.

Dr Martin Goddard now discussing the cardiac EQA. This is a case of granulomatous aortits. #cardiacpath #ukcpn2026 #cvpath

Case presentations now being shared by trainees. Always a fantastic session. We award the UKCPN Kim Suvarna bursary to the best presentation, to support cardiovascular pathology education at the AECVP conference. #ukcpn2026 #autopsy #cardiacpath #forensicpath

Next Dr Stephen Preston on myocarditis. Dallas criteria were the first, based on biopsy - inflammation + myocyte damage. Seaport criteria 2025 define criteria in biopsy vs autopsy/explant hearts #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath #autopsy #forensicpath openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/1177…

Dr Hadden: DCM genetic causes; Titin and lamin A/C most common May present with heart failure, arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death. Sudden death may occur before the person presents with heart failure so the autopsy is key to identify the cause. #ukcpn2026 #autopsy #cardiacpath

Dr Rob Hadden now taking us through interpreting DCM at autopsy and when to attribute death to DCM. Beginning with an excellent overview of the ultra structure of cardiac myocytes, important in understanding how DCM affects the myocytes and causes disease #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath

Dr Majo: around 37% of idiopathic DCM have an identifiable genetic mutation. Genotype and phenotype don’t always match! Still lots to learn about the causes. #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath #autopsy #forensicpath

Dr Majo Histology of DCM: myocyte features not specific. Vacuolation and myocyte loss can be seen. Fibrosis interstitial or replacement, non-specific features, irregular distribution. No significant inflammation #ukcpn2026 #autopsy #cardiacpath #forensicpath

Next session on dilated cardiomyopathy with Dr Joaquim Majo and Dr Rob Hadden DCM usually four chamber dilatation, globular shape, enlarged in weight, not usually much fibrosis #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath #autopsy #forensicpath

Dr Goddard: mitral prolapse common, only 5-10% progress to severe regurgitation. Tip: look at the mitral valve before slicing the ventricle so you don’t over-interpret ballooning of the leaflets. Link to Filamin C mutations and connective tissue disorders #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath

Dr Goddard: In aortic stenosis, look for valve calcification & orifice narrowing, AND effect on the heart ie. left ventricular hypertrophy Coronary flow reserve impaired <1cm2 Coexistant coronary artery disease also affects risk of sudden cardiac death #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath

Dr Goddard: Bicuspid aortic valve occurs in 2% of the population. Associated with aortic root dilatation. #ukcpn2026 #autopsy #cardiacpath #forensicpath

Dr Goddard: Assessing severity of aortic valve disease. Critical stenosis or cardiac failure indicate significant stress on the heart. Clinical assessment uses: Velocity of flow >5m/s, valve area <0.6cm2, LVEF 50% #ukcpn2026 #autopsy #cardiacpath #forensicpath

Next Dr Martin Goddard discussing when to give valve disease as the cause of death. In most cases valve diseases don’t cause death. #ukcpn2026 #cardiacpath #autopsy #forensicpath