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Composition and Distribution of Elements and Ultrastructural Topography of a Human Cardiac Calculus

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Abstract

Trace elements (TEs) may contribute to the formation of calculi or stones or be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of stone diseases. The compositions and spatial distribution of elements from the inner nucleus to outer crust of the cardiac calculus were investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. The surface topograph, distribution map of elements, elemental and chemical compositions were also determined by environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)–energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Twenty-five elements were identifiable from 18 positions on the cardiac calculus by EDXRF spectrometer, in which the highest concentrations of toxic TEs (Ni, Pt, Hg, Sn, Pb, W, Au, Al, Si) and higher levels of essential TEs (Ca, Sr, Cr, P) were detected. A moderate positive Pearson’s correlation between TEs concentrations of Mg, Ca or P and location differences from centre to periphery in the cardiac calculus was observed. A positive correlation was also found for Ca/Zn and Ca/Cu, indicating the gradual increase of calcium concentration from inner nucleus to outer crust of cardiac calculus. The drop-like nodules/crystals on the surface of petrous part of cardiac calculus were observed from ESEM analysis. ESEM–EDX analysis determined the calculus to be predominantly composed of calcium hydroxyapatite and cholesterol, as indicated by the petrous surface and drop-like nodules/crystals, respectively. This composition was confirmed using a portable Raman analyser. The spatial distribution analysis indicated a gradual increase in Mg, P and Ca concentrations from the inner nucleus to the outer crust of the cardiac calculus. The major chemical compositions of calcium hydroxyapatite and cholesterol were detected on this cardiac calculus.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by a grant from Taiwan Association of Cardiac Vascular Surgery Research. The authors highly appreciate Mr. Shawn Huang (Protech Pharmaservices Corp. Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.) for his valuable assistance with X-ray fluorescence analysis and Prof. Wei-Teh Jiang (Department of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC) for his active support in the use of X-ray microanalysis on environmental scanning electron microscope.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, National Tainan Institute of Nursing, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ching-Li Cheng

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China

    Hsiao-Huang Chang & Pei-Jung Huang

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Yuanpei University, Hsin Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yu-Ting Chu & Shan-Yang Lin

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  1. Ching-Li Cheng
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  2. Hsiao-Huang Chang
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Correspondence to Hsiao-Huang Chang or Shan-Yang Lin.

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Cheng, CL., Chang, HH., Huang, PJ. et al. Composition and Distribution of Elements and Ultrastructural Topography of a Human Cardiac Calculus. Biol Trace Elem Res 152, 143–151 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9603-1

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