CHANGES OF CERTAIN ELECTROCARDIOGRAM INDICES IN ACUTE RADIATION SICKNESS INDUCED BY $beta$-RADIATION AND X-RAY IRRADIATION

Changes of the electrocardiogram in radiation sickness have been described by a number of authors. However, they are almost exclusively related with gamma- and x-ray affections. The majority of investigators are of the opinion that the electrocardiogram in radiation sickness changes only in cases of severe affection, as a result of which inadequate attention is paid to this method of investigation in the management of radiation sickness patients. Data are presented which show that this opinion is erroneous. These data concern the relatively unknown problem of the disturbances of the myocardial function in radiation injuries from isotopes. Although the latter are generally analogous with other radiation affections, they are characterized by a number of specific features. (tr-auth)