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These studies suggest infarction is the death of tissue due to prolonged ischemia, affecting the brain, retina, or myocardium.
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Infarction refers to the death of tissue due to a lack of blood supply, which results in prolonged ischemia. This condition can affect various organs, most notably the brain and the heart, leading to cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, respectively.
Cerebral infarction, commonly known as a stroke, occurs when there is a prolonged interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to the death of brain or retinal cells. This interruption is often due to a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain, which can be caused by a thrombus or embolus.
Recent advancements in diagnostic imaging, such as diffusion MRI and cerebral blood volume CT, have significantly improved the detection of cerebral infarction. These imaging techniques are highly sensitive to neuronal injury and have led to a revised definition of cerebral infarction. The new definition emphasizes tissue state over time, categorizing both complete and incomplete neuronal death as cerebral infarcts.
Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is characterized by the sudden death of myocardial tissue due to ischemia. This condition is typically caused by the thrombotic occlusion of a coronary vessel following the rupture of a vulnerable plaque. The ischemia leads to significant metabolic and ionic disturbances in the myocardium, resulting in rapid depression of systolic function and a wavefront of cardiomyocyte death extending from the subendocardium to the subepicardium.
The universal definition of myocardial infarction involves the detection of myocardial injury through abnormal cardiac biomarkers, particularly cardiac troponins, in the context of acute clinical myocardial ischemia. This definition requires evidence of a rise and/or fall in cardiac biomarkers, with at least one value above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit, along with clinical signs of ischemia such as symptoms, ECG changes, imaging evidence, or identification of an intracoronary thrombus .
Infarction, whether cerebral or myocardial, is a critical medical condition resulting from prolonged ischemia and tissue death. Advances in diagnostic techniques and a clearer understanding of the pathophysiology have led to more precise definitions and improved clinical management of these conditions. Understanding these definitions and the underlying mechanisms is essential for effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infarction-related complications.
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