Post mortem measurement of ventricular volumes of the heart. An analysis of errors and presentation of a new method.

A new method to determine ventricular volumes of the heart post mortem was developed. Atrioventricular valves are carefully closed with continuous monofilament sutures, and the ventricles are filled with liquid paraffin through the base of the aorta and pulmonary trunk using a standard filling pressure. The effect of various post mortem factors on the volumes of cardiac ventricles was studied using this method. Many factors, such as rigor mortis, time of measurement, mechanical handling of the heart and filling pressure used in the measurement have an effect on the ventricular volume. The volume of ventricles after formalin fixation is only about half of that of fresh hearts handled in the same way. The contraction caused by rigor mortis keeps the volume low and can be relaxed only by manipulation of the heart. The results of measurements are comparable only if the hearts have been manipulated in the same way, have been preserved for the same length of time and under the same conditions, and the volume has been measured using the same filling pressure.