Which of the following is the most common cause of acute myocardial infarction?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Atherosclerotic plaque disruption with thrombosis
Most myocardial infarctions are caused by the acute disruption of an atheromatous plaque, which leads to the exposure of subendothelial collagen and the formation of an occlusive thrombus. This suddenly halts blood flow to the distal myocardium.
Keep practicing
More Myocardial Infarction questions
- Which coronary artery is most frequently occluded in myocardial infarction, resulting in an infarct of the anterior wall of the left ventri…
- At what time interval following the onset of ischemia does irreversible cell injury (necrosis) typically begin to occur in the myocardium?
- What is the earliest histological change visible by light microscopy in a myocardial infarct (occurring between 4-12 hours)?
- A patient dies 3 days after a massive myocardial infarction. What is the expected predominant inflammatory cell type found in the necrotic…
- Cardiac tamponade is a common clinical consequence of which post-myocardial infarction complication?
- A 65-year-old male presents with a new-onset holosystolic murmur 4 days after an inferior wall MI. Which of the following is the most likel…