Cytochemical detection of nickel in the myocardium after acute carbon monoxide intoxication

The dimethylglyoxim cytochemical method was used for detecting endogenous nickel (Ni) in the canine and human myocardium. Electrondense deposits were observed in the myocardial cells and the wall and lumen of capillaries of the dog heart when after CO-intoxication the blood COHb level exceeded 30%. Energy-dispersive microanalysis proved the presence of Ni in the reaction product. Detection of the Ni-reaction product in the myocardium of human cadavers may be of forensic importance, since the reaction is resistant to post mortem autolysis and may help to identify the cause of death.