1. Health

Discuss in my forum

Infarction

By , About.com Guide

Updated September 03, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: Infarction is the death of tissue due to prolonged ischemia, that is, due to the lack of sufficient blood flow. For example, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) is usually caused by the sudden occlusion of a coronary artery, leading to the death of the portion of myocardial (heart) tissue which is supplied by the blocked artery.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.