[Significance of nonspecific histopathologic changes in the myocardium in sudden coronary death].

Informative value of non-specific histopathological myocardial changes was determined on the material of 31 autopsy cases of a sudden coronary death (SCD) and comparison of two groups: 18 observations of violent death and 17 observations of an acute alcoholic intoxication. Informative value was assessed using Kullback's criterion. Large- and small-focal cardiosclerosis and cardiomyocyte hyperthrophy were of a high informative value for SCD. Sclerosis of the intramural arteries, congestion on venas and capillaries, muscle fiber fragmentation had an informative value for SCD versus a violent death, and haemorrhages for SCD versus an alcoholic group. Cardiomyocyte vacuolisation and wavelike deformation of muscle fibers were of a low informative value. Cardiomyocyte atrophy and lymphohistiocytic infiltration were informative for SCD when compared to a violent death and for an alcoholic group when compared to SCD. Endothelial proliferation of the microcirculation vessels, myolysis, sludge-phenomenon, lypofuscinosis, stromal lipomatosis were of informative value for the alcoholic group and not for SCD.