[Pathogenetic aspects of heart failure in spinal shock]

The structural shifts occurring in the myocardium after injury to the spinal cord were studied in detail in rat and dog experiments and on autopsy material. It was found that the trigger mechanism in the pathological condition of the cardiac cells was their increased permeability associated with the effect of an excessive amount of catecholamines on the myocardium, which led to their overloading with calcium and the development of "calcium" necroses. The role of the DIVC (dissociated intravascular coagulation)-syndrome and focal metabolic damage of the myocardium in the thanatogenesis of acute spinal-cord injury was determined.