Infarction definition in medical literature
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Infarction Definition in Medical Literature
Pathological and Clinical Definition of Infarction
Infarction is defined in medical literature as the death (necrosis) of tissue resulting from a prolonged lack of blood supply (ischemia) due to obstruction of the supplying blood vessel. This concept is consistent across various organ systems, including the heart, brain, kidneys, and others. For example, in the heart, myocardial infarction (MI) is pathologically described as myocyte (heart muscle cell) necrosis caused by prolonged ischemia, typically due to the blockage of a coronary artery 3410. In the brain, infarction is similarly defined as the death of neural tissue due to reduced blood supply .
Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
The universal definition of myocardial infarction, as established by international consensus, requires evidence of myocardial injury detected by abnormal cardiac biomarkers (such as troponins) in the setting of acute clinical myocardial ischemia. This is confirmed by a rise and/or fall in cardiac biomarkers with at least one value above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit, along with at least one of the following: symptoms of ischemia, new ischemic changes on ECG, development of pathological Q waves, imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium, or identification of an intracoronary thrombus 2456910.
Historical Perspective and Evolution of the Definition
The term "infarction" was first clearly defined in the late 19th century by Carl Weigert, who described heart infarction as coagulative necrosis of the myocardium due to the obstruction of atherosclerotic coronary arteries . Over time, the definition has evolved with advances in diagnostic techniques, especially with the introduction of sensitive biomarkers and imaging, allowing for the detection of even small areas of tissue necrosis 59.
Infarction in Other Organ Systems
The definition of infarction is consistent across organ systems: it requires both ischemia and (near-)complete obstruction of the supplying blood vessel, leading to tissue necrosis. For example, in the kidney, infarction is defined as tissue necrosis following occlusion of the renal artery, while similar criteria apply to the retina, spleen, and testicle 17.
Clinical and Research Implications
The diagnosis of infarction, particularly myocardial infarction, has significant clinical, psychological, social, and legal implications. It is a major endpoint in clinical trials and a key indicator of disease burden in populations 59. The broadening of the definition to include any myocardial necrosis due to ischemia has led to more cases being classified as MI, which has implications for patient management and epidemiological statistics 19.
Terminology and Pathophysiological Concepts
Medical terminology related to infarction often includes terms such as "ischemia," "necrosis," and "obstruction," reflecting the underlying pathophysiology. Studies using language models have shown that these concepts are closely associated with the term "infarction" in medical literature, emphasizing the importance of both anatomical and pathophysiological features in its definition .
Conclusion
In summary, infarction in medical literature is defined as tissue necrosis resulting from prolonged ischemia due to obstruction of the blood supply. This definition is applied consistently across organ systems and is central to the diagnosis and management of conditions such as myocardial infarction. Advances in diagnostic methods have refined the criteria for infarction, but the core concept remains the same: cell death caused by a critical reduction in blood flow.
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