Hemodynamic disorders · USMLE Step 1

What distinguishes a red (hemorrhagic) infarct from a pale (anemic) infarct?

  1. Red infarct results from arterial occlusion in solid organs, pale from venous occlusion in loose tissues
  2. Red: dual-supply or venous-occluded tissue; pale: solid organs after arterial occlusion
  3. Red infarcts are always older than pale infarcts
  4. They are identical; terminology varies by region
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Correct answer: Red: dual-supply or venous-occluded tissue; pale: solid organs after arterial occlusion

Hemorrhagic (red) infarcts happen when there is venous occlusion or in tissues with dual blood supply (lung, intestine) allowing re-perfusion and hemorrhage. Pale infarcts occur in solid organs after arterial occlusion without reperfusion.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 19

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