Myocardial infarction (MI)—heart attack

A. Ischemia versus MI: Ischemia is a reversible mismatch between the supply and demand of oxygen. Infarction
is an irreversible mismatch that results in cell death caused by the lack of blood flow (oxygenation). For instance, chest pain caused by ischemia can be relieved by administering nitroglycerin (a vasodilator) to the patient. If the patient has an MI, the pain will not be relieved with nitroglycerin.

1. MIs most commonly occur when a coronary artery is occluded by a thrombus generated in an atherosclerotic artery.

2. Symptoms include:
a. Chest pain, shortness of breath.
b. Diaphoresis (sweating), clammy hands.
c. Nausea, vomiting.

3. Consequences:
a. Death (one third of patients).
b. Arrhythmias (most common immediate cause of death).
c. Congestive heart failure.
d. Myocardial rupture, which may result in death from cardiac tamponade.
e. Thrombus formation on infarcted tissue; may result in systemic embolism.
 

Clinical genetics (cytogenetics),

This is a method in which inherited chromosomal abnormalities in the germ cells or acquired chromosomal abnormalities in somatic cells are investigated using the techniques of molecular biology.

Biliary cirrhosis(16%)

It is due diffuse chronic cholestaisis (obstruction of the biliary flow) leading to damage and scarring all over the liver. Two types are known  
1. Primary biliary cirrhosis and
2. Secondary biliary cirrhosis. 

Primary biliary cirrhosis
It is destructive chronic inflammation of intrahepatic bile ductules and small ducts leading to micronodular cirrhosis. 
-Typically affects middle aged women. 
- Patients present with fatigue, pruritis and eventually, jaundice. 

Cause:-  Autoimmune. Patients have autoantibodies directed against mitochondrial enzymes (AMA). 

Pathology:- 

 Liver is enlarged, dark green in color (cholestaisis). Cirrhosis is micronodular. 

M/E :-
- Early, portal tracts show lymphocytes and plasma cell infiltrate the bile ducts and destroy them.
- Granulomatous inflammation surrounding the damaged and inflamed bile ducts is the hallmark of (PBC).
- Cholestatic changes such as bile ductular proliferation, periportal Mallory’s hyaline and increased copper in periportal hepatocytes.
- In the end stage disease, micro nodular cirrhosis occurs and the inflammatory changes subside 

Secondary biliary cirrhosis:-
 It is extra hepatic (surgical) cholestaisis due to prolonged extra hepatic major bile duct obstruction. 

Causes - Obstruction of hepatic or common bile duct by: 
   - Congenital biliary atresia.       
   - Pressure by enlarged LN or tumor   * Biliary stones. 
   - Carcinoma of the bile duct, ampulla of Vater or pancreatic head

Effects of obstruction:- 
Complete obstruction leads to back pressure all over the biliary tract           
 - damage by inspessated bile          
 - inflammation and scarring.
Incomplete obstruction  leads to acute suppurative cholangitis and cholangiolitis. 

Pulmonary Hypertension 

Sustained elevation of mean pulmonary arterial pressure.

Pathogenesis 
Elevated pressure, through endothelial cell dysfunction, produces structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature. These changes ultimately decrease pulmonary blood flow and stress the heart to the point of failure. Based on etiology, pulmonary hypertension is divided into two categories.

Primary (idiopathic): The cause is unknown.
Secondary: The hypertension is secondary to a variety of conditions which increase pulmonary blood flow or increase resistance to blood flow. Example: Interstitial fibrosis.
Pathology 
The changes involve large and small pulmonary blood vessels and range from mild to severe. The major changes include atherosclerosis, striking medial hypertrophy and intimal fibrosis of small arteries and arterioles, and plexogenic arteriopathy. Refer to Figure 15-7 in your textbook.

Pathophysiology 
Dyspnea and fatigue eventually give way to irreversible respiratory insufficiency, cyanosis and cor pulmonale.