Abstract This study assesses the relation between qualitative and quantitative findings of myocytes
and interstitial connective tissue in the ischemic heart disease. Qualitative and quantita- tive changes of myocytes and interstitial connective tissue were studied on the serial cross myocardial sections from autopsied hearts with ischemic lesions, stained by immunohis- tochemistry using a monoclonal antibody (von Willebrand factor) and with hematoxylin- eosin method. Myocardial sections included proximal and distal part of occlusion and area of occlusion of coronary vessels. The volume densities (V V ) of the cardiac myocytes and interstitial fibrosis in the group with coronary occlusion were examined stereologically and compared with control group. The findings showed a significant reduction in the volume density of myocytes and an increase in the volume density of interstitial fibrosis in patients with coronary occlusion compared with control group. Significant reduction in the volume density of myocytes and an increase in volume density of interstitial fibrosis were greater in the distal part of occlusion and area of occlusion, than in the proximal part of the occlu- sion. Our stereological results give useful quantitative information's of changes in myocar- dium parts during coronary occlusion as well as in normal conditions, and represent objec- tive proof of significant changes in ischemic myocardium described by qualitative analyses.