[Changes in the myocardium in the early stages of chronic kidney failure]

The functional state of the myocardium was studied in 45 white Wistar rats in the early stages of chronic renal insufficiency. After resection of 4/6 of the renal parenchyma the initial stage of chronic renal insufficiency was created with the urea level in blood serum 7.0-10.0 mmol/l with normal content of electrolytes (duration of observation lasting 1.3 to 6 months). Towards the 3rd month myocardial hypertrophy developed in animals with statistically significant increase of the cardiac mass by 18-20%, not related to enhancement of haemodynamic load on the heart. Arterial pressure remains normal. Hypertrophy of the myocardium as shown by histochemistry was accompanied by increase of energy and protein metabolism, carbohydrates decreased simultaneously due to the decrease of myocardium tolerance to glucose.