infarktuksen

Infarktus, or infarction, is tissue necrosis caused by insufficient blood supply to a region of tissue. It occurs when blood flow is blocked or markedly reduced long enough to cause cell death. In Finnish medical usage the term infarktus is standard, with infarktuksen appearing as a genitive form in compound phrases.

Infarctions most often result from arterial occlusion due to thrombosis or embolism or from severe hypoperfusion. Any organ can be affected, but the most clinically important types are myocardial infarction (heart) and cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke); infarction can also occur in kidney, spleen, intestine, or lungs (pulmonary infarction after embolism).

Symptoms depend on the affected organ. Myocardial infarction typically presents with chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Cerebral infarction presents with sudden weakness, trouble speaking or seeing, or facial droop. Abdominal or organ-specific infarctions cause pain and other local signs.

Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnosis combines history, examination, and imaging plus organ-specific tests. Cardiac infarction uses ECG and troponin; stroke uses CT or MRI and vascular imaging. Treatment aims to restore blood flow when possible (reperfusion therapy) and prevent further clotting with antiplatelets or anticoagulants, plus management of risk factors with lifestyle and medications.

Prognosis and prevention: Prognosis depends on location, size, and timeliness of treatment. Early reperfusion improves outcomes. Prevention focuses on controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and smoking; weight management, physical activity, and treatment of vascular disease.