[Myocardial changes after spinal cord injuries in humans and experimental animals]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

A Radio-telemetric System to Monitor Cardiovascular Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Transection and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Grafts
Published on: October 7, 2014
Abstract:
The hearts of 15 persons dying within one day after the trauma of the spinal cord as well as the hearts of 50 laboratory animals (rats and dogs) were examined histologically, histochemically and by electron microscopy. Cardiomyocytes demonstrated in both conditions (autopsy and experimental) many early contractual alterations. Electron microscopy of experimental material with the use of colloid lanthanum showed, already 15 minutes after the trauma of the spinal cord, the indirect signs of overloading the contractile cells with calcium this being the main cause of acute heart failure immediately after the spinal cord trauma.
Related Concept Videos
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

