Infarkt

Infarkt, or infarction, is tissue death caused by a long-lasting reduction or cessation of blood flow to a region of tissue. The most common mechanism is obstruction of an artery by a thrombus or embolus, though vasospasm, atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, or external compression can also cause ischemia. The resulting lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to cellular injury and, if the blood supply is not restored, irreversible necrosis.

The necrotic tissue classically shows coagulative necrosis in many organs, with the dead cells preserved for a time and later replaced by scar tissue. Infarcts may be pale (anemic) when a single end-arterial blood supply limits bleeding into the damaged area, or red (hemorrhagic) when there is dual blood supply, reperfusion, or vascular congestion. The evolution and appearance depend on the organ involved and the pattern of blood flow.

Common organ-specific infarcts include myocardial infarction (heart), cerebral infarction or ischemic stroke (brain), renal and splenic infarcts, pulmonary infarction (often due to pulmonary embolism), and intestinal infarction. Symptoms vary by site and may include chest pain, neurological deficits, flank pain with hematuria, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath.

Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, imaging, and tissue biomarkers as appropriate (for example, troponin elevation in myocardial infarction or MRI/CT in cerebral infarction). Management aims to restore blood flow when possible, treat the underlying cause, and prevent recurrence through antithrombotic therapy, risk-factor modification, and supportive care.

Prognosis depends on infarct size and location, with potential complications including heart failure, arrhythmias, organ impairment, or stroke-related disability. Infarkt remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.