Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients

Abstract Synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (X-PCI) is a non-destructive imaging modality that can provide high resolution three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of transmural myocardial tissue, collagen matrix reconstruction, and quantification of myocyte aggregate orientation (‘myomappin...

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Main Authors: Nikola Skreb, Filip Loncaric, Kan Yan Chloe Li, Anne Bonnin, Hector Dejea, Patricia Garcia-Canadilla, Ivana Ilic, Hrvoje Gasparovic, Davor Milicic, Bart Bijnens, Andrew C. Cook, Ivo Planinc, Maja Cikes
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04012-5
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author Nikola Skreb
Filip Loncaric
Kan Yan Chloe Li
Anne Bonnin
Hector Dejea
Patricia Garcia-Canadilla
Ivana Ilic
Hrvoje Gasparovic
Davor Milicic
Bart Bijnens
Andrew C. Cook
Ivo Planinc
Maja Cikes
author_facet Nikola Skreb
Filip Loncaric
Kan Yan Chloe Li
Anne Bonnin
Hector Dejea
Patricia Garcia-Canadilla
Ivana Ilic
Hrvoje Gasparovic
Davor Milicic
Bart Bijnens
Andrew C. Cook
Ivo Planinc
Maja Cikes
author_sort Nikola Skreb
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (X-PCI) is a non-destructive imaging modality that can provide high resolution three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of transmural myocardial tissue, collagen matrix reconstruction, and quantification of myocyte aggregate orientation (‘myomapping’). We aimed to use X-PCI to analyse microstructural features in transmural myocardial samples from patients with advanced heart failure. Six patients were included: two receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for ischaemic (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and four undergoing heart transplantation (HTx), two for the ICM, one for DCM and one for toxic cardiomyopathy. Samples were obtained by left ventricular (LV) apical coring (LVAD group) or from the LV free wall of the explanted hearts (HTx group) and imaged by X-PCI using a multi-scale setup (maximal resolution at 0.65 µm pixel size). The 3D image datasets were analysed via two-dimensional orthogonal cuts in different layers. Visualisation and quantification of the myocyte aggregates orientation showed a disruption in epicardial-to-endocardial transition in DCM, whereas the collagen matrix reconstruction identified characteristic fibrosis patterns amongst different HF aetiologies. In conclusion, X-PCI is a 3D imaging method that can extend the amount of information available from ex-vivo tissue analysis and, as an addition to multimodal imaging protocols, potentially improve disease phenotyping.
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spelling doaj-art-688a0d56107b419a8ec4e6dd3a37817d2025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-04012-5Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patientsNikola Skreb0Filip Loncaric1Kan Yan Chloe Li2Anne Bonnin3Hector Dejea4Patricia Garcia-Canadilla5Ivana Ilic6Hrvoje Gasparovic7Davor Milicic8Bart Bijnens9Andrew C. Cook10Ivo Planinc11Maja Cikes12Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebInstitute of Cardiovascular Science, University College LondonSwiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer InstituteEuropean Synchrotron Radiation FacilityCardiovascular Diseases and Child Development, Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD)Department of Pathology and Cytology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebDepartment of Cardiac Surgery, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebCatalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREAInstitute of Cardiovascular Science, University College LondonDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebAbstract Synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (X-PCI) is a non-destructive imaging modality that can provide high resolution three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of transmural myocardial tissue, collagen matrix reconstruction, and quantification of myocyte aggregate orientation (‘myomapping’). We aimed to use X-PCI to analyse microstructural features in transmural myocardial samples from patients with advanced heart failure. Six patients were included: two receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for ischaemic (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and four undergoing heart transplantation (HTx), two for the ICM, one for DCM and one for toxic cardiomyopathy. Samples were obtained by left ventricular (LV) apical coring (LVAD group) or from the LV free wall of the explanted hearts (HTx group) and imaged by X-PCI using a multi-scale setup (maximal resolution at 0.65 µm pixel size). The 3D image datasets were analysed via two-dimensional orthogonal cuts in different layers. Visualisation and quantification of the myocyte aggregates orientation showed a disruption in epicardial-to-endocardial transition in DCM, whereas the collagen matrix reconstruction identified characteristic fibrosis patterns amongst different HF aetiologies. In conclusion, X-PCI is a 3D imaging method that can extend the amount of information available from ex-vivo tissue analysis and, as an addition to multimodal imaging protocols, potentially improve disease phenotyping.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04012-5Heart failureCardiomyopathyHeart transplantationLeft ventricular assist deviceX-ray phase contrast imagingHistopathology
spellingShingle Nikola Skreb
Filip Loncaric
Kan Yan Chloe Li
Anne Bonnin
Hector Dejea
Patricia Garcia-Canadilla
Ivana Ilic
Hrvoje Gasparovic
Davor Milicic
Bart Bijnens
Andrew C. Cook
Ivo Planinc
Maja Cikes
Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
Scientific Reports
Heart failure
Cardiomyopathy
Heart transplantation
Left ventricular assist device
X-ray phase contrast imaging
Histopathology
title Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
title_full Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
title_fullStr Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
title_full_unstemmed Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
title_short Synchrotron-based X-ray 3D phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
title_sort synchrotron based x ray 3d phase contrast imaging and analysis of transmural myocardial tissue from heart failure patients
topic Heart failure
Cardiomyopathy
Heart transplantation
Left ventricular assist device
X-ray phase contrast imaging
Histopathology
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04012-5
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