Histological assessment of myocardium in lethal ethanol intoxication

Abstract

Background: The pathological mechanism of sudden death in healthy persons following incidental ethanol intoxication has not yet been fully elucidated and might be underlain by cardiogenic causes.

Aim: Histological assessment of the myocardium in lethal ethanol intoxication. The analysis was based on a histological assessment of specimens of the myocardium obtained from the hearts of 30 deceased males within the age range 29–45 years.

Methods: The material for the study was taken from the myocardium of the anterior wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum of the heart. The fixation material was first examined according to the standard histological procedure and subsequently subjected to a morphometric examination, which assessed the number of cardiomyocytes, their area, circumference, and circular deviation.

Results: The examination showed an increase in the area and circumference of cardiomyocytes, as well as fragmentation and segmentation of cardiomyocytes with a significant enlargement of cell nuclei. Additionally, it revealed the presence of lymphocytic cells in several cases.

Conclusions: The obtained findings indicate a harmful influence of alcohol on the myocardium.