Determination of electrolytes in the myocardium as a tool for the post-mortal diagnosis of recent infarction.

The K/Na quotient in the myocardium has been compared to the result of the PTAH staining method in an autopsy material of verified myocardial infarctions, suspected but macroscopically unverified infarctions and controls. The control cases regularly had quotion showed ischemic changes in PTAH staining. These and additionally 10 cases had K/Na quotients below 1.2. The electrolyte method thus appears to be a more sensitive method for the diagnosis of recent myocardial infarction.