[Morphogenesis of the "myxedematous heart" after experimental thyroidectomy in rabbits]. / Morfogenez "miksedematoznogo serdtsa" pri eksperimental'nom udalenii shchitovidnoizhelezy u krolikov.

Electrocardiographic, biochemical, morphohistochemical and ultrastructural changes in the rabbit's heart were studied after thyroidectomy. The data obtained suggested that the changes in the heart of the test animals were characteristic of the "myxedematous heart". Certain regularities in the dynamics of the tissue and structure changes in the myocardium depending on the postoperative period were revealed.

[Myocardial ultrastructure in experimental myxedema]. / Ul'trastruktura miokarda pri éksperimental'noi miksedeme.

Total thyroidectomy was performed in 18 rabbits and the material obtained analysed. Nine rabbits with pseudo thyroidectomy served as controls. Basal metabolism, levels of cholesterol, lipoproteins, phospholipids, and ionic blood composition were studied in the experimental animals before the operation and during various periods following the operation; the ultrastructure of the myocardium in the course of myxedema was also studied. Drastic changes in the contractile structures, which apparently were a substrate of cardiac weakeness in this pathologic state, are described.