Neurogenic lesions of the myocardium

Summary

This investigation was aimed at obtaining myocardial lesions by a neurogenic route, i. e., by acting upon the myocardium with adrenalin and noradrenalin (mediators, appearing at the ends of postganglionic fibers of the cardiac sympathetic nerves after their stimulation). For this purpose very strong stimulation, either mechanical or chimical, was applied to the stellate ganglia. Myocardial lesions, of the character of cloudy swelling (swelling) of individual muscular fibers homogenization of the sarcoplasm, disappearance of the cross-striation) appear after stimulation of the stellate ganglia. These phenomena of cloudy swelling are focal in character. Later, depending upon the stage of the disease, they either resolve or, on the contrary, are enhanced, leading to the formation of small foci of necrosis in the myocardium with mildly or moderately cellular reaction. Pronounced disintegration of separate groups of muscular fibers and considerable cellular reaction were recorded in individital cases.

Myocardial lesions, provoked by parenteral administration of massive doses of adrenalin, are compared to those resulting from the stimulation of the stellate ganglia, the mechanism of the action of these agents being discussed.