Subendocardial infarction in two young boys.

Two cases of subendocardial infarction noted at autopsy in young boys are reported. Both patients were resuscitated and maintained on ventilation following significant periods of cardiac arrest. Presumably the infarct occurred at the time of arrest, secondary to inadequate myocardial perfusion, and became visible at autopsy because both children were maintained on assisted ventilation long enough for the gross and microscopical changes to develop. The significance of this phenomenon for survivors of successful post cardiac arrest resuscitation is discussed.