FIGURE 2.

Histopathology of the hearts of mice with acute MI and developed fatal ventricular free-wall rupture. The images presented were from six hearts stained using the Carstair’s method (A–D) or H.E. method (E,F). Transmural rupture with rupture tunnels containing intramural an (IMT), as well as intra-myocardial hemorrhage, indicated as “h,” was observed in all hearts. Furthermore, IMT was in close contact with LVT (LVT, all panels). Panels (D–F) show LVT embedded with platelet-rich thrombi adjacent to the infarct wall (*). Panels (E,F) show dense inflammatory cells at the interface of white thrombi of IMT and LVT.