Importance of supravitality in forensic medicine

Abstract

Based on physiological investigations on latency period, survival period and resuscitation period under complete temporary ischemia, supravitality can be defined as even longer survival period of tissues (compared to the resuscitation period) after complete irreversible ischemia. Supravitality is mostly defined by functional parameters (sensitivity to excitation). Parameters of supravital metabolism (substrates and metabolites of anaerobic glycolysis) as a basis for supravital reactions (sensitivity to excitation) are discussed. Particular supravital reaction patterns in comparison to physiological conditions are mentioned (Cannon-Rosenbluth's law of denervation, supersensitivity to pharmacological excitation, local contraction instead of propagated excitation). Lastly, morphological alterations which can be induced during the early supravital period (latency period, survival period) as well as their destination from local vital reactions will be briefly mentioned.