Myocardial cell necrosis and sudden death in humans.

Using morphologic criteria to distinguish between myocardial infarction and lesions that selectively involve myocardial cells, the authors found evidence of ongoing selective myocardial necrosis in 88% of 50 individuals dying suddenly. Acute coronary thrombosis was rare. Since the morphological characteristics of the cell injury differ significantly from that seen in infarction and since the lesion may occur in individuals without significant epicardial coronary disease, factors other than permanent vascular obstruction are indicated as having a role in sudden cardiac death. Some other yet-unidentified process may alter susceptible myocardial cells.