Consequences of experimental mitral insufficiency induced by chordotomy

In mitral insufficiency induced by chordotomy in dogs beside the common diagnostic data the values for tissue perfusion indicative of myocardial microcirculation have been studied. Unexpectedly, a decrease of subendocardial circulation was found; this reduced circulation manifested itself with alterations such as changes in mitochondrial structure, increased quantity of subsarcolemic sarcoplasma, and degenerative symptoms.