Autofluorescence in the identification of myocardial infarcts.

A method is described for demonstrating myocardial necrosis by changes in the autofluorescence of routine hematoxylin and eosin or hematoxylin and eosin-phloxine stained sections using a standard microscope with an epifluorescence attachment. Regions of necrosis fluoresce with a brilliant yellow color clearly distinguishable from the dull olive-green to red-brown fluorescence of the neighboring viable cardiac muscle.