OP22.07: Cardiac fiber orientation and coronary changes in a rabbit model of IUGR using X‐ray phase‐contrast synchrotron radiation‐based micro‐CT

Our aim was to study detailed cardiac anatomy in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). US and MRI provide information of cardiac anatomy at the organ level, but their resolution is too low. Microscopy provides detail at cellular level, without allowing to study the whole heart. We used X-ray phase-contrast synchrotron radiation-based micro-CT as a novel approach to provide an integrated evaluation at organ level in IUGR hearts. Fetal hearts from an IUGR model in rabbits were formalin-fixed and ethanol-dehydrated. 3D X-ray phase-contrast synchrotron radiation-based micro-CT was performed at 7.43 μm resolution (ESRF-ID19). IUGR fetuses showed smaller and more globular hearts with thinner walls (Fig A, B) and coronary vessels dilation (Fig C, D). The known gradual change of the fiber orientation from endo- to epi-cardium was altered in IUGR, with an increase in circumferential fibers in the mid-myocardium (Fig E, F). Supporting information can be found in the online version of this abstract Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.