Myocardial fiber architecture in the human heart. Anatomical demonstration of modifications in the normal pattern of ventricular fiber architecture in a malformed adult specimen.

Ventricular myocardial fiber architecture has been considered an important factor in heart dynamics. Most anatomical studies however have focussed on the analysis of normal hearts. The present study compares ventricular myocardial fiber architecture patterns in dissections of 5 normal hearts and a malformed human heart with membranous ventricular septal defect, overriding right aorta, pulmonic stenosis, with absent pulmonary valve and hypertrophied right ventricle. Qualitative and quantitative changes in ventricular myocardial fiber architecture were noted in the malformed heart.