I.
CVPath human pathology
laboratory is limited to the analysis of
cardiovascular specimens including:
• Tissue
- Heart (postmortem and explant gross and microscopic evaluation)
- Endomyocardial biopsy
- Myocardial Biopsy/resection (including tumors)
- Pericardial Biopsy/resection
- Native heart valves
- Vascular Specimens: Aorta and branches; temporal artery
- Kidneys (postmortem evaluation for hypertension)
• Cardiovascular slides/blocks:
slides and blocks are accepted for
evaluation
• Cardiac Devices:
- Stents and stent grafts
- Mechanical/Bioprosthetic
valves/prosthetic heart valve rings
- Devices used to treat
congenital heart disease including
occluder devices and coils
- Pericardial devices
- Pacemaker wire sites
- Ventricular assist devices
II. CVPath human pathology
laboratory does not examine the
following specimens:
- Cytology Specimens
- Testing for pacemaker and
defibrillators
- Tissue from central
nervous system
- Tissues that contain
radioactive materials
Pathologic
examination is performed using routine
light microscopy with H&E (Hematoxylin
and eosin stain) and other histochemical
stains as needed. For specialized tests,
such as transmission electron microscopy
or immunohistochemistry outside
laboratories are utilized.
 Consultation Request
• Procedure for shipping wet fixed-tissue.
1. Whole hearts should be immersion or perfusion-fixed at least 24 hours prior to shipping for histology. Do not over-fix specimens - please ship within 48 hours post-fixation.
2. Remove most of the formalin and wrap the specimen in gauze soaked in fixative and place in two zip-lock or heat-sealed bags.
3. Label the bag with an adhesive printed label containing the specimen identification (i.e. animal number.)
4. Place the sealed bags in a screw-top plastic container to avoid crushing.
5. Label the outside of the plastic container with specimen ID, Contributor/Sponsor, Study/Protocol Number, or any other pertinent information to identify the specimen.
6. Include with the specimen: paperwork, protocol, necropsy/pathology report (if applicable,) work requested (i.e., light microscopy, scanning/transmission microscopy, etc.)
7. The paperwork MUST INCLUDE a chain of custody form and an inventory of all items shipped (including paperwork) with a FAX return number to record that specimens arrived to CVPath.
8. Place in an appropriate box lined with plastic bags, cover the individual containers with bubble-wrap, and place specimens in the box making sure the containers are snug. Place all paperwork in a zip-lock bag to be included in the shipment. Seal box with packing tape.
9. PLEASE NOTIFY CVPATH (email: info@cvpath.org
) AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE WITH THE SHIPMENT AND INCLUDE TRACKING NUMBER.
10. Shipping address:
Renu Virmani, MD
19 Firstfield Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Tel: (301) 208-3570
• Interesting or Difficult Surgical / Autopsy Cases
- Clinical Information
- Surgical Pathology Report
- Slides
- Blocks or West Tissue
- Autopsy Protocol
• Hearts without Dissection
- Perfusion Fixation
• Hearts after Dissection
Cardiac Examination Form
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