Infarkter

Infarkter, or infarcts, are localized areas of tissue necrosis caused by loss of blood supply (ischemia). They develop when a major artery is occluded by a thrombus or embolus, or when perfusion is severely reduced, leading to oxygen deprivation and cell death. In most solid organs, infarcts show coagulative necrosis, while brain tissue typically undergoes liquefactive necrosis.

Infarcts are often described by location and appearance. White infarcts occur in organs with end-arterial blood supply, such as the heart, kidneys, and spleen, and appear pale. Red infarcts arise with hemorrhagic reperfusion or in organs with dual blood supply or venous occlusion, such as the lungs or intestines, and have a reddish appearance.

Common examples include myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to coronary occlusion and cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke) due to arterial blockage in the brain. Renal, splenic, and intestinal infarcts can also occur, usually presenting with organ-specific symptoms based on the affected tissue.

Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and imaging, supported by biomarkers in myocardial infarction (for example troponin) or neuroimaging in stroke (CT or MRI). Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow when possible and preventing further injury: reperfusion therapy for myocardial infarction (percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolysis), antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, and, for cerebral infarction, thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy when eligible, along with risk-factor modification and secondary prevention.

The term derives from Latin infarctus, meaning “stuffed” or “fenced off,” reflecting tissue death due to blocked blood supply.