The cases comprised 10 group I with established ischaemic changes (recent and old), 35 group II with signs of possible ischaemia (waviness, thinning, fragmentation or acute coronary event as recent thrombus or disrupted atheroma), and 4 group III with no signs of ischaemia, but showing other causes of myocardial damage. A normal heart was used as a control. Nine cases showing variable definite autolytic changes were included.