Comparative study of morphological changes in the myocardium after different types of allergic reaction in coronary vessels.

Changes in the dog heart were studied by light and electron microscopy 1 h after production of different types of reactions of immediate hypersensitivity--anaphylactic, cytotoxic and immune complex--in the coronary vascular bed. It was shown that cytotoxic action of anticardiac antibodies produced the most significant changes. These were disturbance of coronary circulation, ischemic changes in the myocardium, structural changes in cardiomyocytes. Early destruction of glycocalyx and formation of defects in the cardiomyocyte sarcolemma revealed by an electron microscopic tracer colloidal lanthanum were most characteristic of this reaction.