[Possible mechanisms of the death of cardiomyocytes].

Current concepts on the mechanisms of cardiomyocyte (CMC) alteration and death are reviewed basing on the author's and literature data. Degradation of the adenine nucleotide pool plays a principal role in the reversible damage and death of the CMC. The transition of the reversible changes into the irreversible ones is determined by the formation of structural defects in the plasmalemma. Ultrastructural alterative changes are somewhat specific with regard to the agent that caused the cell death. The following ultrastructural types of the CMC degeneration and death are distinguished: 1) primary ischemic type of the cell degeneration and death; 2) secondary calcium degeneration and death; 3) primary rigor type of calcium degeneration and death; 4) primary lytic type of calcium degeneration and death; 5) vacuolar type of calcium degeneration and death; 6) hypoxic variant of the primary rigor type of calcium degeneration and death; 7) hypoxic variant of the primary lytic type of calcium degeneration and death.