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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
[Massive myocardial infarct with healthy coronary arteries caused by ostial thrombosis]
Insights
A 42-year-old man died from a massive anterior-wall myocardial infarction. Autopsy revealed an unexplained coronary artery thrombus, despite no prior heart issues or atherosclerosis risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) typically occurs in patients with established coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis risk factors.
- Anterior-wall MI is a severe form of heart attack, often associated with significant coronary artery blockage.
Observation:
- An exceptional case of fatal anterior-wall MI in a 42-year-old male with no prior cardiac history or atherosclerosis risk factors is reported.
- The patient experienced a sudden, fatal cardiac event.
Findings:
- Autopsy revealed a thrombus completely obstructing the coronary artery ostium and extending into the common trunk.
- The remainder of the coronary arterial network appeared normal.
- The thrombus's origin was undetermined and did not appear to be embolic.
Implications:
- This case highlights rare etiologies of acute myocardial infarction.
- It underscores the importance of considering unusual causes of coronary artery thrombosis in younger individuals.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind such unexplained coronary thrombi.
Abstract:
Report of an exceptional case of massive anterior-wall myocardial infarction ending in death in a man aged 42, with no previous coronary history nor risk factors of atherosclerosis. Autopsy has demonstrated a thrombus obliterating the coronary artery ostium, penetrating into the first centimetre of the common trunk, while the coronary network was otherwise normal. The nature of this thrombus remains unexplained and did not seem to be of embolic origin.
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