On some pathogenetic and adaptation mechanisms of acute coronary disease

Acute coronary failure was modeled in rabbits by ligation of the descending left coronary artery at the interface of its middle and lower thirds. The function and morphology of left-ventricular and right-ventricular myocardium were studied on days 1, 3, and 5 of the pathological process. It was found that left-ventricular contractility decreased, while right-ventricular contractility increased. Deep morphological changes were observed in both ventricles: pronounced extracellular edema, increased content of collagen, decreased percentage of myofibrils. Hence, acute coronary failure involves both compartments of the heart, but the adaptive mechanisms more actively develop in the right ventricle. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2008.