Age-related changes in myocardial nerve and collagen networks of the auricle of the right atrium

Objective-The objective of this study was to analyse age-related changes in human myocardial nerve plexuses and collagen networks of the auricle of the right atrium in subjects in whom no cardiac diseases or pathology had been diagnosed. Methods and results-Morphometric analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-stained nerve plexuses and picrosirius-stained cardiac collagen networks from 17 persons of both genders aged 20-94 years was performed using video microscopy and a digital video camera. It was found that with age linear regression of nerve plexuses occurred. Atrial collagen content increases lifelong. Conclusion-Aging of human atrial myocardium is accompanied by a decrease of nerve plexuses and an increase in fibrosis.