Heart: SEM of microvascular corrosion casting of feline models

Introduction: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of corrosion vascular casts of the heart allows morphological and anatomical three dimensional observations and description of the distribution, diameter and internal surface of the collected replicas. SEM method gives quantitative information for the vascularization.Aim: To investigate the microcirculatory bed of the heart in experimental feline models by SEM of corrosion vascular casts.Materials and methods: Polymerized vascular casts with following corrosion of the heart have been obtained from 14 sexually mature tomcats (Felis silvestris catus) with body weight from 2.9 kg to 4.0 kg. The obtained microvasculature replicas have been studied by SEM.Results: In the proventricular myocardium of the feline models, the capillaries are relatively S-like curved, equally distributed and form network-like structures with predominant Y-like anastomoses. In the ventricular myocardium the capillaries are grouped in tufts and form between themselves and Y-type anastomoses, as predominate these of H type.Conclusion: This finding gives us to make a motivation, regarding the hemodynamics that the observed morphological features are extremely beneficial to provide a steady and permanent blood flow, which itself favors the metabolic and gas exchange.