Recognition of Early Myocardial Infarction by Immunohistochemical Staining with Cardiac Troponin-I and Complement C9

• NCJ Number: 242527
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 1595-1600
• Author(s): Shashi Kiran Jasra, Ph.D.; Cherryl Badian, B.F.Sc.; Iain Macri, B.F.Sc.; Paul Ra, M.D.
• Date Published: November 2012
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The diagnosis of early myocardial infarction (MI) after death, especially in the first few hours (c. 6 h) after the onset of MI, poses a challenge to the forensic pathologists.

Abstract

The diagnosis of early myocardial infarction (MI) after death, especially in the first few hours (c. 6 h) after the onset of MI, poses a challenge to the forensic pathologists. During this time, the damaged myocardium does not show grossly identifiable morphological changes and may not be recognized even with routine histological microscopic examination. However, the infarcted cardiac tissue releases certain chemicals that can be detected microscopically, two of these being cardiac troponin-I (CT-I) and complement C9 (C9). This study utilizes the importance of these two biomarkers immunohistochemically in an attempt to identify this early phase of MI. This study reveals that the early phase of MI of <6 h duration may be detected through immunohistochemical staining with CT-I and C9. The ischemic/infarcted cardiac myofibers in the <6 h group display reduced/absent CT-I staining as well as positive C9 staining. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.