MI (Myocardial Infarction) – Top USMLE Diseases

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a graphic representation of the electrical activity of the heart plotted against time. Electrocardiograms are simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and readily obtained. Adhesive electrodes are affixed to the skin surface allowing measurement of cardiac impulses from many angles. The ECG provides 3-dimensional information about the conduction system of the heart, the myocardium, and other cardiac structures. In the healthy state, an ECG records predictable, reproducible waves and complexes, which correspond to electromechanically coupled physiologic events in the heart. Under pathologic conditions, the ECG can detect arrhythmias, ischemia, inflammation, and more.

Stable and unstable angina are considered an important symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD) and present with chest pain due to transient myocardial ischemia. These disorders can be a warning sign for the risk of heart attack (MI) in the future. Clinically, stable and unstable angina are differentiated by exacerbating factors, duration of symptoms, and response to rest and medications. Diagnosis is by history and examination, ECG, stress testing with possible additional nuclear medicine imaging, echocardiography, or coronary angiography. Management with lifestyle modifications and aggressive risk factor reduction (of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) is indicated to prevent the risk of progression to MI and death.

MI is ischemia and death of an area of myocardial tissue due to insufficient blood flow and oxygenation, usually from thrombus formation on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque in the epicardial arteries. Clinical presentation is most commonly with chest pain, but women and patients with diabetes may have atypical symptoms. Diagnosis is by clinical history, ECG changes, an increase in cardiac enzymes, and evidence of wall motion abnormalities on imaging. Management depends on the timing of the presentation and local resources with regard to thrombolytic therapy versus percutaneous intervention. All patients receive nitrates, pain control, aspirin, anticoagulation, and beta-blockers (unless contraindicated).