Infarcts

Overview

• Decreased tissue oxygen results in reduced ATP production and cell death
• Can occur in two forms
  • Red
    • hemorrhagic due to the re-entry of blood into the tissue following cell death
    • associated with
      • loose tissues with collaterals such as
        • liver (portal and systemic)
        • lungs (pulmonary and bronchial)
        • intestine (portal and systemic)
      • lysis of an emboli that initially obstructed blood flow
  • Pale
    • pale due to continued inability of blood to re-enter the infarcted area
    • associated with
      • solid tissues with single blood supply such as 
        • heart
        • kidney
        • spleen
      • atherosclerotic thrombi that cannot be lysed due to continued reformation at site of obstruction