title: [Myofibril degeneration of heart muscle: histologic picture and pathophysiologic significance].
abstract: Mechanical trauma to the heart induces a rhythmical transverse banding of adjacent myocytes. This finding is due to hypercontraction (true contraction bands) and it is different from the cross band type myofibrillar degeneration (MFD) which is characterized by disseminated foci of irregular transverse banding. This latter type is mainly found after temporary myocardial ischemia, in cases of reanimation using catecholamines and defibrillation as well as in severe brain trauma. Both types of cross banding can be identified in hematoxylin and eosin or in azan stains; a much better visualization is obtained using the PTAH or the Luxol Fast Blue (LBF) method. Moreover, LFB, giving a selective blue staining of the damaged cells, allows the identification of the recently described diffuse type MFD. Well developed contraction bands may indicate the vitality of a heart trauma, yet a supravital occurrence seems to be possible. MFD, diffuse or cross band type, clearly correlates with high blood catecholamine levels at the time of death.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Heidelberg.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pedal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oehmichen
mesh_terms: D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000473:pathology*; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000648:ultrastructure*
vernacular_title: Myofibrilläre Degeneration der Herzmuskulatur: Histologisches Bild und pathophysiologische Deutung.