Myocardial Infarction

Acute infero-lateral infarction with hemorrhage in a 44 y/o female. There was 70% to 80% blockage of the left circumflex coronary artery. Most myocardial infarctions are precipitated by an acute change in a previously stable atheromatous plaque. The change may in the form of intraplaque hemorrhage, rupture, fissuring, ulceration, or erosion of the plaque. This is followed by the formation of a thrombus which can expand rapidly and cut off the blood supply eventually causing necrosis of the myocardium supplied by the vessel. Image copyright: pathorama.ch.