Dynamics of postmortem autolysis of cardiomyocytes

: Dynamics of postmortem autolysis of cardiocytes was evaluated using cells and tissues obtained from the patients who died from acute forms of ischemic heart disease, such as acute coronary insufficiency and acute myocardial infarction in the pre-necrotic phase. The studies were carried out at a temperature of 7, 20, and 37 degrees C. It was shown that autolysis of cardiac muscular fibers proceeds through three successive stages. A rise in temperature from 7 to 20 degrees C accelerated autolysis by one third while further elevation of the temperature up to 37 degrees C was associated with a 9-fold decrease in the duration of autolysis.