Acute Myocardial Infarction Pathophysiology & Schematic Diagram

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A heart attack, known in medicine as an acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery following the rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, which is an unstable collection of lipids (like cholesterol) and white blood cells (especially macrophages) in the wall of an artery. The resulting ischemia (restriction in blood supply) and oxygen shortage, if left untreated for a sufficient period, can cause damage and/or death (infarction) of heart muscle tissue (myocardium).

The post contains the pathophysiologic processes that occur during an Acute Myocardial Infarction. This is presented as a schematic diagram.

See the Nursing Care Plans for Myocardial Infarction

See the Nursing Care Plans for Coronary Artery Disease

Acute Myocardial Infarction Pathophysiology & Schematic Diagram

Source: Wikipedia