What causes a subendocardial infarction?

Description of the problem A subendocardial infarct results in necrosis exclusively inolving the innermost aspect of the myocardium. Usually a subendocardial infarct is the result of a partially occluded epicardial coronary artery (i.e. NSTEMI).

Why is the Subendocardium more prone to ischemia?

In conclusion, subendocardial vulnerability to a acute reduction in perfusion pressure stems primarily from differences in vascular compliance induced by transmural differences in both extravascular loading and vessel wall thickness.

What are the symptoms of ischemia?

Symptoms

  • Neck or jaw pain.
  • Shoulder or arm pain.
  • A fast heartbeat.
  • Shortness of breath when you are physically active.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Sweating.
  • Fatigue.

What causes ischemia?

Ischemia is caused by a decrease in blood supply to a tissue or organ. Blood flow can be blocked by a clot, an embolus, or constriction of an artery. It can occur due to gradual thickening of the artery wall and narrowing of the artery, as in atherosclerosis. Trauma can also disrupt blood flow.

What does Subendocardial mean?

Medical Definition of subendocardial : situated or occurring beneath the endocardium or between the endocardium and myocardium subendocardial blood loss.

What is a subendocardial infarction?

Subendocardial infarction was defined as typical chest apin (greater than 15 minutes), serum enzyme elevation and persistent (greater than 48 hours) new T wave inversion and/or S-T segment depression in the absence of new pathologic Q waves.

Where is the subendocardial layer?

The endocardium is composed of the endothelium and the subendothelial connective tissue layer. The subendocardium is found between the endocardium and myocardium and contains the impulse-conducting system.

How painful is ischemia?

Ischemic rest pain is classically described as a burning pain in the ball of the foot and toes that is worse at night when the patient is in bed. The pain is exacerbated by the recumbent position because of the loss of gravity-assisted flow to the foot.

Can ischemia be caused by stress?

Stress can have an important role as a trigger of acute ischemic attacks. This is indirectly shown by the circadian distribution of the main manifestations of ischemic heart disease (sudden death, myocardial infarct, ST segment depression).

What does ischemia look like on an ECG?

The most common ECG sign of myocardial ischemia is flat or down-sloping ST-segment depression of 1.0 mm or greater. This report draws attention to other much less common, but possibly equally important, ECG manifestations of myocardial ischemia.