[Histopathological diagnosis of early stages of myocardial infarction--applications of the improved hematoxylin basic fuchsin picric acid (HBFP) staining method to human autopsy hearts]

Abstract

In the early stage of myocardial infarction, the mortality rate is very high and its diagnosis is difficult not only clinically but also pathologically. Hematoxylin basic fuchsin picric acid (HBFP) staining method has been controversial on reliability for the morphologic diagnosis of early stages of myocardial ischemia. We applied HBFP staining method improved hematoxylin staining and differentiating solution to 42 human autopsy hearts. In eight cases with diagnosed acute myocardial infarction clinically and/or pathologically and 4 cases that suffered from post-infarction angina and died suddenly at home or outdoors, HBFP stain showed positive. Other cases, including non-ischemic heart disease and sudden death due to non-cardiac disease and ventricular arrhythmia, were HBFP staining negative. In conclusion, improved HBFP staining method is useful in identifying early myocardial ischemia and extent of early infarcts, and explaining for sudden death due to re-attack of myocardial infarction.