Myocardial Infarction · Pathology

Macro-test for MI: Which chemical can be used on fresh heart slices to highlight areas of infarction as pale (unstained) zones?

  1. Standard hematoxylin and eosin stain
  2. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride
  3. Prussian blue iron stain
  4. Congo red amyloid stain
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Correct answer: Triphenyltetrazolium chloride

TTC is a stain that reacts with dehydrogenase enzymes in viable myocardium to turn it bright red. Necrotic tissue lacks these enzymes and remains pale or white, allowing for macroscopic identification of the infarct before 24 hours.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 20

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