Electronmicroscopic and histoenzymologic study regarding morphophysiopathologic visceral modifications during open heart operations under extracorporeal circulation.

Morphophysiopathologic modifications occurred in myocardium, liver and lung during open heart operations under extracorporeal circulation had been studied using histologic, histoenzymologic, ultrastructural and biochemical investigations. Preexisting myocardic and hepatic lesions subsequent to chronic stasis and hypoxia are accentuated due to the "controlled shock" state induced by extracorporeal circulation. Mitochondrial marker enzymes like SDH, LDH and ATP-ase in the membrane are decreasing their levels and hydrolytic enzymes like acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase (ANAE) and peroxidase are increasing their activity. These disseminated lesions can become irreversible under the conditions of a severe cardial insufficiency and of a prolonged operation. In the lung, the increase in the hydrolytic enzyme activity suggests the processes of phagocytosis and metabolization of red cells by macrophages.