Myocardial Infarction. Pathological Relevance and Relationship with Coronary Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Three types of necrosis characterize MI: coagulation necrosis, typically due to a coronarogenic mechanism, coagulative myocytolysis with formation of contract bands as an effect of sympathetic nervous system and adrenergic stimulation, and colliquative myocytolysis, characterized by myocardial fiber lysis, which is a close result of hydrolytic enzyme activity deriving from the material reaching the infarct area.

METHODS: Although a multifactorial etiology may be identified, nevertheless coronary alterations, which are a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque formation and complications with a reduced blood flow supply to the myocardium, are the benchmark of MI.

RESULTS: Evidence indicates a close relationship between the MI and some coronary risk factors, associated with this pathologic pattern with a different, but high rate.

CONCLUSION: Precipitating events to cause acute myocardial pathology need, however, to develop an acute myocardial infarction.