Ultrastructural evidences of direct endotoxin action on the heart.

In experiments on 13 rabbits, the authors performed heart perfusion according to Langendorf with endotoxin (9 experiments) or with Ringer's solution (4 experiments), and subsequently analysed the myocardial ultrastructure. They found that 30-minute endotoxin perfusion produces contracture changes, intracellular myocytolysis and desquamation of endothelial cells with destruction of the capillary basal membrane. The findings attested to myocardial dysfunction caused by direct endotoxin action on the heart.