Objective To study the relation between death and myocardial injury after small area of
chloroacetic acid burn(CAB). Methods
The activities of
myocardial enzymes were measured in patients and Wistar rats with 4%￣6% area of burn,and the ultrastructure of myocardium was observed in rats under electron microscope. Results The activities of the myocardial enzymes rose in all eight patients with CAB(≤4%),and more obviously in a case died later.Meanwhile,the myocardial enzymes remained unchanged after small areas of thermal and chemical(acid or base) burns.No difference between the results in clinic and the comparative experiment on rats was found.There were ultrastructural changes in myocardium. Conclusion The results suggested that
chloroacetic acid burns of small area could result in myocardial injuries.In clinic,the first step in dealing with chloroacetic acid burns is to wash the wound as soon as possible.Besides,to enhance myocardial nutrition and to protect myocardium should also be considered.