FORENSIC MEDICAL ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN THE VASCULAR BED OF MYOCARDIAL TISSUE IN CASES OF THE SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH FROM ALCOHOLIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
We present the results of histological, morphometric and immunohistochemical studies of changes in the vascular bed of myocardial tissue in cases of death from alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Our study of the vessels of the myocardial tissue, which is one of the main components of the histohematological barrier, in cases of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, revealed a set of morphological changes in the vascular walls, the development of which is caused by a cascade of pathological processes which were a result of prolonged toxic effects of ethanol and its metabolites. As a result of the morphometric examination of the vascular bed of myocardial tissue, we established that the relative area of the vessels is not directly dependent on the age and sex of those who died from alcoholic cardiomyopathy. For visualization of the vascular bed in myocardial tissue, we recommend immunohistochemical study, using both monoclonal antibodies to CD31 and monoclonal antibodies to CD34.