Figure 3.

Representative histologic sections across all timepoints. (a) Acutely cut posterior (left panel) and anterior (right panel) shunt edges present a tapered, rounded contour, with modest platelet/fibrin deposition in the anterior edge. A very thin band of coagulative changes (thermal effect) is also present in the myocardium adjacent to the cut (arrows, approximately 400 μm in depth). (b) Thirty-day shunt edges appeared rounded and fully healed, displaying fibrous remodeling and endothelialization. (c) Sixty-day sample (Movat) shows approximately 350 μm of collagen deposition at the rounded shunt edge, indicative of remodeling and normal healing. Stains: hematoxylin and eosin (top) and Movat (bottom); bar = 500 μm.