[Mitochondrial vacuole types in anoxic myocytes].

The mitochondria of myocytes are easily damaged by anoxia or ischemia. Severe damage results from mitochondrial vacuolization. Four types of mitochondrial vacuoles can be identified by reference to their location: 1) in the matrix space; 2) in the intracristal space; 3) in the peripheral space; and 4) among the cristae. The first 3 types are found in early stages of anoxia or ischemia and do not disrupt the cristae. The presence of several types of vacuoles indicates severe damage. Since mitochondrial cristae are the site of high-energy phosphate production and since their disruption might affect this function, the disruption of mitochondrial cristae may serve as a morphological criterion for irreversible anoxic damage to myocytes.