Myocardial Infarction Research Paper

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Cardiovascular disease has become an increasingly significant issue in many countries as it is the leading cause of death for the whole human population. According to World Health Organization, ischemic heart disease had caused about 7 million people to lose their life in 2011. One of the most common cardiovascular illnesses is myocardial infarction. It is defined as the death of cardiac myocytes due to complete blockage of a coronary artery. t-PA is a thrombolytic drug that used to treat myocardial infarction by dissolving the thrombus that causes the occlusion.

The preliminary step in myocardial infarction is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis does not occur abruptly, it is a gradual and dynamic inflammatory disease which causes the narrowing of lumen due to the deposition of lipid and foam cells. The formation of fatty streak; which will eventually become a plaque causes the vessel lumen to diminish. The plaque will become unstable, rupture and eventually lead to the event of plaque disruption.

The next stage in myocardial infarction is the formation of thrombus. Exposure of the subendothelial matrix of the plaque to blood due to superficial abrasion generates platelet activation and aggregation. Clotting factors on the platelet membrane carry out reaction which release prothrombin activator, this activator then converts prothrombin to enzyme thrombin. The transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin is then catalysed by thrombin. During proteolysis (the breaks down of protein), fibrinogen is converted to fibrin strands which stabilize the final blood clot. Complete occlusion of coronary artery by thrombus disrupts blood flow and causes ischemia due to atherosclerotic coronary artery steno...

... middle of paper ...

...estoring blood flow to ischaemic myocardium and improving prognosis. In order to increase the level of fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin, plasminogen activator is given by intravenous injection or bolus injection. t-PA must be given within 12 hours of onset of chest pain to decrease the destruction to the damaged organ.

In a conclusion, although cardiovascular disease remains the major concern to many citizens, the survival rate is still high for those who admitted to hospital as the improvement in medical care and emergency treatment plan. However, one should instantly seek for medical aid when developing symptoms of myocardial infarction such as chest pain, shortness of breath and nausea. Precautions are always better than cure, one should maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and quit smoking in order to avoid the occurring of cardiovascular disease.

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