MYOCARDIAL-CONTRACTION BAND NECROSIS IN STRANDED CETACEANS

The term contraction band necrosis describes focal hypercontraction an d lysis of small groups of myocardial cells. Contraction band necrosis of the myocardium was identified in 100% of 52 whales and dolphins (c etaceans) stranded along the western cease of the Gulf of Mexico betwe en April 1991 and November 1996. The myocardial lesions in the cetacea ns were identical, both grossly and histologically, to chose previousl y described in man and other animals. Such lesions may contribute to t he high mortality rate in stranded cetaceans. (C) 1998 W.B. Saunders C ompany Limited.