Mitochondrial Mineralization in Human Myocardium

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the precise localization of intracellular myocardial mineralization after vascular surgery in two patients. By light microscopy the calcification was represented by discrete basophilic granules. Alizarin red S and von Kossa preparations confirmed the presence of calcium salts. Myocardial tissue from the paraffin blocks and formalin-fixed autopsy tissue were examined by means of the electron microscope; the principal site of mineralization was within mitochondria. The crystalline appearance of the intramitochondrial deposits suggested the presence of hydroxyapatite. The exact mechanism involved in this deposition is not known.