Cardiovascular Pathology

The Cardiovascular Pathology Research department at Texas Heart Institute (THI) works to conduct original research and to support THI research investigators with core lab services. Additionally, the department provides specialized pathology and histology services (including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on a fee-for-service basis to medical companies, institutions and investigators outside of THI.

The lab is a GLP Compliant Laboratory for preclinical studies and has a CLIA Certificate of Compliance for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) clinical services. Currently, the lab supports Histology and Electron Microscopy studies involving stents, valves, aneurysm coils, pacing leads, endovascular devices and lasers. The Cardiovascular Pathology Research department’s Core Lab Services include:

• Histopathology
  • Paraffin and frozen embedding, sectioning and staining with multiple special stains
  • Plastic embedding, sectioning with a selection of various stains
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Gross and sub-gross photography
  • Photomicroscopy
  • 25+ years of experience in histopathology
  • GLP compliant for Histopathology
• Necropsy Support
  • Large, fully-equipped necropsy suite
  • Faxitron Radiography
• Morphometric Analysis
  • Image-Pro system validated for GLP compliance
  • Used to evaluate intravascular changes including neointimal changes
• TEM and SEM
  • Low-Vac SEM and High-Vac SEM available (both validated for GLP compliance) with EDS system
  • CLIA certified for clinical TEM
  • GLP compliant for TEM and SEM
  • 25+ years of experience with TEM and SEM