Abstract
Summary
The radiation effects of 2,500 to 20,000 roentgens on the canine myocardium have been studied. A collimated x-ray beam, 2.54 cm in diameter, was delivered to the heart of 12 dogs at a rate of 210 roentgens per minute. A localized area of myocardial necrosis was evident by the 7th to 10th post-irradiation day in the hearts which received a dose of 20,000 roentgens. Evolution of the myocardial lesion was documented electrocardiographically, and by pathologic examination. Microscopically, the cardiac necrosis was strikingly similar to vascular infarction in the human myocardium. The use of this radiation technique for experimental production of localized myocardial necrosis is discussed.
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