Assessment of the heart by histochemical and birefringence techniques as compared with ventricular function tests.

We have compared results of isovolumic ventricular function studies and results of histochemical and birefringence examinations of biopsy specimens from 80 isolated canine hearts both before and after three hours of preservation utilizing several variables. The direct and derived mechanical tests and histochemical and birefringence assessments of the myocardium were correlated by multiple regression analysis. Our results suggest that initial ventricular health may be indicated by acid hematein staining of free phospholipids and by the response of myocardial birefringence to adenosine triphosphate and calcium, while succinic dehydrogenase staining and birefringence without adenosine-triphosphate treatment are more useful in showing ventricular deterioration during operation.