Ultrastructure of donor heart muscle prior to transplantation

Biopsy samples obtained from right ventricle (septum) of donor heart just at the moment of procurement and few hours later after implantation, was examined under electron microscopy. Our study revealed in both biopsy groups the presence of mild cytoplasmic changes similar in character but different in the intensity and extent. The anomalies are unspecific and similar in their character to changes described in disease states or toxic damage. Lack of damage to the membrane system in the cardiac myocytes indicates a reversible character of changes. Further studies are required to compare the present findings with ultrastructural myocardial features after reperfusion.