Cardiovascular Pathology · Pathology

Which of the following is the earliest microscopic change visible in myocardial tissue following an acute ischemic event (0.5 to 4 hours)?

  1. Contraction band necrosis
  2. Wavy fibers
  3. Neutrophilic infiltration
  4. Dense collagenous scar
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Correct answer: Wavy fibers

Wavy fibers result from the forceful tugging of non-contractile, dead myocytes by adjacent viable fibers. Other changes like neutrophilic infiltration and contraction bands typically appear later in the timeline of myocardial infarction.

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