Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology
Official Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Pathology
Vol 10, No 1, January 2026
Histomorphological Alterations of the Human Heart: An Autopsy-Based Analysis at Dhaka Medical College
Aktar M,1 Jeba R,2 Khatun J,3 Lubna NT,4 Nahar R,5 Ara J,6 *Badhan RE7
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease, the coronary heart disease, is the main cause of death in industrialized countries and is rising at an alarming rate in much of developing countries. Autopsy is an important complementary tool for identifying and understanding cardiac diseases, and it gives a conclusive opinion on the involved cardiac pathology. Therefore, this study was aimed at observing various histomorphological changes in autopsy specimens of the heart.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from March 2020 to February 2022. A total of 150 hearts from autopsy specimens were included in this study. The hearts were examined grossly and microscopically, and findings were recorded in a predesigned data sheet. Statistical analysis was carried out as required.
Results: Analysis revealed that, out of the total 150 cases, more than half of the cases, 94 (62.7%), had cardiovascular changes, while the remaining 56 (37.3%) cases showed no significant changes. Among the pathological findings, more than half the cases (55.3%) had coronary atherosclerosis, followed by aortic atherosclerosis in 19.3% of cases, myocardial infarction (MI) in 18.7% of cases, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 15.3% of cases, and cardiac mural thrombus in 2% of cases. Only 1 (0.7%) case of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis and only 1 (0.7%) case of tuberculous pericarditis were also found in this study, unlike other studies done in this subcontinent.
Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation of the autopsied heart in medicolegal cases is essential to find out the pathological changes and cause of death as well. In this histomorphological study, the most common pathological finding was coronary atherosclerosis and which is the major underlying cause of ischemic heart diseases. Histopathological studies provide accurate knowledge for a better understanding of human cardiovascular diseases. With better insight into pathophysiology, proper interventions could be introduced to improve care and future outcomes for patients undergoing cardiovascular diseases.
[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2026 Jan; 10 (1):17-26]
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69950/jhc.2026.10.1.3
Keywords: Histomorphology, Human heart, Autopsy-based study, Cardiac pathology, Myocardial changes
- Dr. Marufa Aktar, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barishal marufaepu@gmail.com
- Professor Dr. Ruksana Jeba, Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. ruksanajeba67@gmail.com
- Dr. Julekha Khatun, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka.
- Dr. Nur A Tasnim Lubna, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barishal
- Dr. Rejwana Nahar, Assistant professor, Department of Pathology, OSD, DGHS, Attached: Mugda Medical College, Dhaka.
- Dr. Jannat Ara, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barishal.
- *Dr. Raisa Enayet Badhan, Medical Officer, Department of Microbiology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka. Email: raisabadhan@gmail.com
*For correspondence