[Noradrenaline and adrenaline content in different areas of the heart in patients dying of myocardial infarct].

Noradrenaline and adrenalin levels in different sections of the heart of persons deceased of myocardial infarction were measured, this being paralleled by determining the content of the said amines in the adrenal glands. It is shown that the noradrenaline level in the myocardium was down by comparison with controls during all periods of myocardial infarction studied. The most marked fall of the noradrenaline level in the heart muscle was noted to have occurred in persons who died in consequence of a progressive circulatory insufficiency. The authors believe that depletion of the noradrenaline reserves in the myocardium can be one of the causative factors in the development of cardiac insufficiency. An elevated concentration of adrenalin was found in the perinfarction region of the myocardium during acute period of infarction, especially 1-2 days following the onset of the latter. The highest rise in the adrenalin level was detected in individuals with repeated myocardial infarction evolving in a recurrent manner and complicated by well-marked arrhythmias. It cannot be ruled out that the amassment of adrenalin in the perinfraction zone may be causative of arrhythmias and recurrent lesions of the myocardium. In cases of myocardial infarction the catecholamines level in the adrenal glands is down, especially 1 more month following the development of infarction.