411 Section 5: Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

A medical condition characterized by the development of ischemia with resultant irreversible necrosis of the myocardium, typically due to prolonged obstruction of the coronary arteries.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood supply to an organ, especially the heart, which can lead to tissue damage.

Acute Myocardial Infarction

A sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, often caused by a thrombus or embolus.

ST-Segment Elevation MI (STEMI)

A more severe form of myocardial infarction characterized by complete occlusion of blood flow to a large portion of the myocardium.

Troponin I (cTnI)

A cardiac biomarker that becomes positive 3-12 hours after myocardial injury, peaks at 24 hours, and remains elevated for 4-10 days.

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can obstruct blood flow.

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, leading to narrowed arteries.

Plaque Rupture

The breaking open of an atherosclerotic plaque, which can trigger the formation of a thrombus and potentially cause a myocardial infarction.

Reperfusion Injury

Damage to the heart tissue that occurs when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia.

Collateral Circulation

Alternative pathways of blood flow that develop to maintain perfusion when major blood vessels are occluded.